On Saturday, the 28th of November, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with Emirati State Minister Reem Al Hashimi to discuss the visa issuance matter and the concerns Pakistani citizens had about not being able to obtain a visa or work visa from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Last week, the Foreign Office confirmed that the UAE had written off the issuance of visas to Pakistan and a dozen other countries due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, the matter was said to be investigated further by the office, with the Foreign Minister and Emirati State Minister meeting on the sidelines of the 47th Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Niamey.
The meeting between Minister Qureshi and Hashimi covered the topic of mutual ties between the countries, with the FM emphasising Pakistan’s strong bond with the UAE, and the two countries ties when it comes to working together, as well as accounting for future cooperation.
During the meeting, a growing bilateral liaison and collaboration where focused upon, where both sides highlighted the significance of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for the Muslim Community.
According to the Prime Minister’s aide on Overseas Affairs, Zulfikar Bukhari, there was no ban on Pakistani workers in the United Arab Emirates, and the negative reports are to be dispelled immediately, as there has been an “11% (increase) in knowledge workers,”