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Pak family on 'money-making trip' to be sent back to Oman

DUBAI - A Pakistani family of four on visit from Oman, who were recently nabbed for begging at a petrol station in Ras Al Khaimah, will soon be leaving for Muscat, thanks to the joint efforts of the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan Association in Dubai and the Pakistan Centre in Ras Al Khaimah.

Ghulam Ali, accompanied by his wife, 11-year-old daughter and five-year-old son, claimed to have come to the UAE on a one-month visit visa seeking treatment for his son who suffered from a heart ailment.

Ghulam Ali, who claimed to be a salesman in Muscat, said: "We came to Dubai seeking treatment for my ailing son. On the way back, we stopped at a friend's house in Ras Al Khaimah and then set off for Muscat. The car broke down on our way back and we paid Dh90 to the mechanic and had only Dh10 left for petrol which was not enough. When we asked for money for petrol from a nearby parked car, we were asked to wait, and then the police caught us."

According to Dr Gul Karim Khan, President, Pakistan Centre, RAK, the family was being deported to Pakistan by RAK jail authorities due to their illegal activity, but after efforts of the Pakistani ambassador, and cooperation from the Deputy Director-General of Ras Al Khaimah Police, Brigadier Mohammed Nobi, the family was sent back to Oman.

According to Dr Khan, all members of the family possessed valid passports and visas and had probably come on a money-making trip to Dubai. "If they had been deported, the family would have suffered a great deal and probably would never have returned to the Gulf," he added.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, President Pakistan Association, Dubai (PAD), Shafi Samana said that because the family was in dire straits, the association had taken the initiative and would be arranging the tickets for their return to Oman. The family will leave RAK jail for Oman on Sunday.

Dr Khan also said that during the visit of the PAD welfare committee, the release of six illegal Pakistanis from the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), who had been caught working illegally in Fujairah, had also been secured.

"Pakistan Consulate in Dubai will issue outpasses to the jailed illegals while the association will help pay for their fare to Pakistan," he said.