UAE envoy warns Pakistanis against ‘negative propaganda’

KARACHI: Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Karachi, Bakheet Ateeq al-Remeithi, has asked Pakistanis in the UAE to avoid spreading negative propaganda against their country, its institutions or politicians.

The UAE Consul General said negative propaganda against Pakistan by Pakistanis living or visiting the UAE was noticed on social media for which many were arrested and sentenced to 14 to 15 years in jail. More than five Pakistanis were sentenced to life imprisonment while most of them were deported, he said.

The UAE Consul General warned such Pakistanis would not get visas for Gulf countries, including the UAE, and would not be able to go there. “They should avoid sharing or forwarding any such matter on the social media,” he said, adding “Strict action will be taken against them as per law if they do so.”

Bakheet Ateeq al-Remeithi said citizens of some 200 countries having different religions and nationalities live in peace in the UAE. The number of Pakistanis in the UAE has exceeded 1.8 million, he said. The UAE Consul General appealed to Pakistanis not to bring their political differences to Dubai. He said citizens involved in such propaganda in Pakistan are being questioned for obtaining Emirates visa.

In response to a question, Bakheet Ateeq said there was no restriction regarding the UAE visas. “Not only visas are being given to Pakistanis, all possible facilities are being provided in the Consulate,” he told this correspondent. He said the rules for the UAE visas have been tightened.

He asked Pakistanis to visit the northern areas of their country or other tourist places before going to Dubai.