UAE extends visa ban on Pakistan, embarrassed Pakistan says no visa ban in place

In what comes as another embarrassment for Pakistan; United Arab Emirates (UAE), where a large number of Pakistanis migrate for work opportunities, has now extended an existing travel ban to 24 cities of Pakistan. The visa ban was earlier on 22 cities, and it has now been increased to 24, East Coast Daily reported.

The Pakistani cities which have been included are:

• Abbotabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Quetta, Khoshab, Muzaffargarh, Sargodha, Attock, Dera Ismail Khan, Kasur, Kurram agency, Nawabshah, Sheikhpura, Bajaur agency, Hangu, Kohat, Larkana, Para Chinar, Skardu, Chakwal, Hunza and Kotl

Why? The UAE government had to resort to this action in order to curb the menace of begging on the streets of UAE.

It was noted that a large number of migrants from these Pakistani cities, who visit the UAE for work, ultimately end up begging on the streets when they fail to find employment. This increases the workload of the UAE administration, as begging is a crime in Dubai and the people are strictly ordered to not entertain beggars. 

Why do Pakistanis resort to begging in UAE? Most of the migrant workers from Pakistan are deceived by agents who send them to UAE on a visit visa, while telling them that they were being sent on a work visa.

Adnan Parcha, an expert at Pakistan Employees Promoters, told 24NewsHD.TV that the UAE immigration authorities have imposed further restrictions on Pakistani nationals getting a visa.

Paracha also said that travel agents' dishonesty is to blame for this problem. 

He said that the UAE government has put restrictions on travellers from these cities because of the misinformation by the agents.

Begging is a crime in UAE: The UAE has strict laws against begging. The police in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on numerous occasions have launched anti-begging campaigns and also warn people against giving anything to beggars.

Article 475, 476 and 477 of the UAE Penal Code criminalises begging and any person who is begging is punishable with imprisonment and a fine.

Pakistan government denies the ban: However, the Pakistan Foreign Office has denied all reports of the UAE having imposed a ban on the issuance of visas to residents of certain cities of Pakistan, Dawn reported.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has refuted any such travel ban imposed by the UAE.

Separately, Consulate General of UAE in Karachi Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi has also dismissed the reports. Speaking to GEO News, he said that all Pakistani citizens were eligible to apply for a visit visa or any other type of visa offered by UAE.