Filing application under right to information law an advocate of Islamabad urged foreign office to share data, facts, and figures regarding the UAE visa rejection crisis, which has been widely reported in the media recently.
According to reports, the UAE government has been rejecting visas for Pakistanis from all strata of society. Some estimates suggest that the visa rejection rate has skyrocketed to 99 percent.
Advocate Osama, an associate of Law & Policy Chambers, highlighted that this situation is not only causing a loss of the fundamental right to travel (Article 15 of the Constitution of Pakistan ) but also the right to property, as Pakistanis are among the largest real estate owners in the UAE. It is only logical to conclude that many of these Pakistanis who own properties in the UAE are now unable to access their own properties.
Most importantly, the applicant pointed out that the UAE is a major business destination for Pakistanis, serving as a hub for international trade. The sky-high visa rejection rate has led to the denial of business opportunities for many Pakistanis. Recently, several Pakistanis were unable to attend business exhibitions, which is hindering the growth of Pakistani exports.
The applicant asked the government to not only share facts and figures regarding the trends but also to disclose what actions, if any, the government is taking to redress this issue.
