PRESS RELEASE

Responding to a media query the Spokesperson stated that during his recent visit to the UAE, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in his meetings with the Emirati leadership inter alia raised the issues pertaining to visa restrictions on Pakistan nationals as well as the welfare of Pakistani Diaspora in the UAE.

Appreciating the contributions made by the Pakistani Diaspora in the UAE, Foreign Minister Qureshi was assured that the visa restrictions were temporary in nature and were imposed due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Spokesperson also referred to the Statement made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reaffirming the UAE’s appreciation of the 1.5 million strong Pakistani community and their active contribution to the growth and prosperity of the country.

Noting the interconnectivity of the peoples of the two friendly countries, the Statement stresses the “temporary nature of the recent restrictions imposed on the issuance of visas due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic”, the Spokesperson added.

Islamabad
20 December 2020

581/2020