Diplomatic, official passport holders asked to comply with UAE instructions

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Division has directed Pakistanis holding diplomatic and official passports to ensure compliance with the instructions of the United Arab Emirates government for travel.

A letter written to all federal ministers, secretaries of all ministries and divisions, chief secretaries of all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, secretaries to Prime Minister of Pakistan and Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir and chief ministers, said that as pointed out by the Pakistani Embassy in Abu Dhabi, some persons traveling from Pakistan on official and diplomatic passports do not meet the requirements for visa processing. “Most of the people process the visa through travel agents instead of the UAE Embassy in Islamabad or Consul General Office Karachi as per instructions,” it added.

According to the letter, the UAE government has reiterated that its immigration does not allow entry to any person who is indeed an official or diplomatic passport holder, but their visa has not been processed by the Embassy or Consul General in Karachi. “Those who do not follow these instructions not only face immigration problems in the UAE but it also causes embarrassment to Pakistan,” it added and called for ensuring the implementation of directives of the UAE government.