Islamabad, Dec 24: Travel agents have been notified that Pakistanis seeking employment in the UAE must now obtain a police verification report before entering the country.
This update was discussed in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development held on Monday.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) revealed that approximately 700,000 workers have already gone abroad this year.
During the briefing, the Secretary explained that there are no restrictions on skilled labor in Dubai, although there has been a decline in demand for unskilled labor. He emphasized the importance of sending more skilled workers abroad.
It was also highlighted that the UAE now requires police verification for Pakistani job seekers before they can enter the country. Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, Chairman of the committee, expressed concern over the lack of progress and the public’s frustration with unresolved issues. He noted that while agents claim to meet all visa requirements, many visas are still not being issued, raising questions about the underlying causes.
Senator Khanzada stressed the significance of the UAE as a key labor market and acknowledged the ongoing pressure and challenges faced by affected individuals. He called for updates on compliance and a clear timeline for resolving these issues to better inform the public. He also recommended gathering detailed records and inviting Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) to the next meeting to ensure proper checks and balances of data, as well as data on the increasing demand in the market.
In addition, Senator Khanzada inquired about the status of housing schemes. The Director General of Housing, Overseas Pakistan Foundation (OPF), reported that Frontier Works Organization (FWO) had completed 95% of the substantial work, although some issues remain unresolved. The project, initially scheduled for completion in 2008, is still unfinished after 11 years, with Senator Shahadat Awan pointing out that no progress had been made in the last 16 years due to litigation at OPF’s end.
Senator Khanzada emphasized that the plot value was higher when it was booked, and development issues persisted. He urged FWO to resolve its liabilities and complete the project. He also proposed involving IESCO for necessary connections and stressed that the committee’s goal is to help overseas Pakistanis, urging OPF to provide updates on housing projects and set clear deadlines for their completion. He recommended finding a solution within two months, with Senator Gurdeep Singh agreeing that the issue must be resolved soon.
The committee members were also updated on dedicated immigration counters for Overseas Pakistanis at international airports. Senator Nasir Mehmood highlighted the importance of maintaining these counters, especially during departures. Additionally, the committee discussed the operations of the OPF Foundation and welfare services, particularly addressing the situation of individuals whose passports were confiscated and who are unable to return to Pakistan, urging that they be allowed to return, including those released from jail.
The disparity in the service structure between OPF college employees and those at the OPF Head Office was also discussed, with the issue set to be revisited in the follow-up meeting. Senators Shahadat Awan, Gurdeep Singh, Nasir Mehmood, the Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and HRD, and senior officials from OPF and other relevant departments were in attendance.
