Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi, the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Karachi, has recently shed light on the factors that could affect Pakistani citizens’ ability to obtain visas to the UAE. His remarks, given during an interview on Geo News’ program “Geo Pakistan,” come in the wake of concerns and clarifications surrounding the visa issuance process for Pakistanis. The envoy’s statements underscore the critical role of social media activity in visa evaluations and highlight the UAE’s strict stance on maintaining social order and preventing the import of foreign political issues.
Impact of Social Media on Visa Issuance
One of the key points raised by Dr. Al Remeithi was the influence of an applicant’s social media activity on their visa approval. He emphasized that all interactions on social platforms, whether positive or negative, leave a digital footprint that is scrutinized by UAE authorities during the visa application process. This means that anything shared, liked, or commented on could potentially lead to a visa rejection or even a ban.
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The Consul General’s comments were prompted by reports suggesting that residents of Sindh were facing difficulties in acquiring visas to the UAE. In response, he clarified that there were no blanket restrictions on issuing visas to Pakistanis. However, he stressed the importance of being mindful of one’s digital behavior, as it plays a significant role in the UAE’s decision-making process.
Warnings Against Negative Propaganda
Dr. Al Remeithi also issued a warning to Pakistani expatriates living in the UAE against spreading negative propaganda about their home country, its institutions, or politicians. He revealed that the UAE had arrested several Pakistanis for such activities, with five individuals receiving prison sentences ranging from 14 to 15 years. These arrests highlight the serious consequences of engaging in behavior that is perceived as disruptive or harmful to the UAE’s social fabric.
Challenges Faced by the Pakistani Diaspora
The consul general’s remarks followed a briefing by Dr. Arshad, the Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, to the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis. Dr. Arshad highlighted the issues that other nations, including the UAE, have with the Pakistani diaspora. He pointed out that Pakistanis are responsible for 50% of the total crime in the UAE, a statistic that raises concerns about the work ethic and behavior of some expatriates.
Dr. Al Remeithi expressed frustration over how individuals from certain countries, including Pakistan, might cause disruptions if their home country experiences turmoil. He noted that such actions, including blocking roads or spreading misinformation, are not acceptable in the UAE. The consul general emphasized that the UAE’s laws and regulations do not tolerate behavior that jeopardizes the country’s stability or order.
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Despite the challenges, Dr. Al Remeithi praised the contributions of the Pakistani community in the UAE, particularly in the construction industry. He urged Pakistani youth to focus on careers in information technology (IT), artificial intelligence (AI), and medicine, fields that offer numerous opportunities in the UAE. The consul general also assured that there were no limits or restrictions on visa issuance, revealing that around 70,000 work visas had been issued to Pakistanis in the past 18 months.