ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State Reem Al Hashimi on the sidelines Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in Niamey, Niger.
The foreign minister apprised her of the difficulties being faced by Pakistani citizens with regard to UAE visas and underscored the need to address the issue at the earliest possible.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral cooperation, COVID-19 situation, Pakistan’s participation in the Dubai Expo, and other matters of mutual interest.
The foreign minister highlighted the close fraternal ties between the two countries and stressed on Pakistan’s commitment to forging closer cooperation with UAE in diverse fields. The Emirati Minister of State lauded Pakistan’s initiative to propose an OIC resolution on combating Islamophobia.
They exchanged views on OIC matters and stressed the importance of further strengthening it as a united and pivotal platform for the Muslim Ummah. It was also agreed to enhance mutual exchanges to carry forward the process of growing bilateral cooperation.
Earlier, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari had denied media reports of the UAE had suspended the issuance of work visas to Pakistanis. He said UAE Minister for Human Resources and Emiratisation Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli had “categorically stated that there is no ban on the export of Pakistani workforce”
The reports emerged that the UAE has stopped issuing new visas to citizens of 13 mostly Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Syria over security concerns.
