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Pak illegals pay a heavy price to enter the UAE

Recently, 34 of the numerous illegal Pakistani immigrants were flown out of the UAE safely after having been in prison for varying time limits - thanks to the combined efforts of the Pakistan Association and the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai.

According to Shafi Samana, President, Pakistan Association, "Each week, nearly 18-20 such cases are handled by the association."

The illegals, mostly from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are reprimanded by the Dubai jail authorities until their release is secured by welfare organisations.

Says Mr Samana, the Pakistan Association's Welfare Wing spends Dh10, 000 to Dh11, 000 monthly on the welfare of these people. The Welfare Committee operates on a budget of raised money and donates funds amounting to Dh1 million on a yearly basis. Several big-hearted philanthropists donate huge amounts that the committee spends on the service of members of the needy Pakistani community, budgeting this amount over the whole year.

"Most of these people are illiterate belonging to the low income groups who know that Dubai will offer them great money, but they are unaware of the correct way to enter the country. Hence most of them end up in jails and then plead to be sent back," he explained.

Back home, these people are lured by the tall tales narrated by unscrupulous 'agents' who promise to make their passageway to the 'City of Gold' easier if they promise to part with a little of their hard-earned cash.

Shown grand dreams of a distant land that would help make them become rich overnight, most young men are all too willing to leave their country and families behind, expecting a smooth ride and life ahead. Paying thousands of rupees for the passageway alone, these youngsters are blissfully 'unaware' that they require a valid passport and a valid visa before entering any foreign domain.

Given only verbal instructions that they will reach Oman and travel ahead by launch to the border of the UAE, these men put their lives and money at stake to reach the UAE.

Clearly unhappy at being questioned during captivity, 30-year-old Mohammad Buksh from Larkana in Sindh says reluctantly, "I paid Rs15,000 to travel to Oman. From there, I walked all the way to the UAE border at Al Ain and was then caught while working at a construction site. I have been here for two months only, out of which two weeks have been spent in jail. Please help me, I want to go back to my country. I have little children who need me."

For Wali Khan, a Pathan from the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan, there is no hope in sight as he does not carry an original National Identity Card (NIC) which is necessary for making an outpass. A tailor by profession, he is now all too willing to be sent back home. "I made a big mistake by coming here. I was caught at my residence and brought here. Please help me go back," he pleads like others.

According to Mr Samana, for the exit of these illegals, outpasses have to be made. "The Dubai jail authorities are very cooperative with us in this regard. We pay weekly visits to the jail, fill forms and attach the original NICs of these people with the forms. Pictures, if available, are also attached and signatures or in most cases thumbprints are done for verifications. These forms are then sent to the Pakistan Consulate for approval," he says, explaining the procedure.

"But as not all of the illegals caught are innocent, we also ask them to hand over money - that they have hidden - to buy them one way discounted tickets only," he said, adding that the association bore the expenses levied on the issuance of outpasses (Dh30) per pass.

Mr Samana also said that Pakistan's carrier Aero Asia was charging nominal rates (Dh195) from the association for issuance of tickets.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Mohammed Fareed, whose brother's release could not be secured, said, "This is the second week that I have been visiting the jail hoping that my brother will get an outpass but because he does not have an original NIC. He will now be sent to Al Suhawiyen Jail in Abu Dhabi from where he may not be released before a year. If welfare counsellors from the consulate were here personally, this issue might have been resolved at the earliest."

No one was available at the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai for a comment.

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