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Pakistani expats in a fix over passport rule

DUBAI — Pakistani expats are worried about the possibility of their families returning from vacation in Pakistan being stopped by Dubai Immigration for not acquiring separate passports for their dependants.

The concern follows several reports confirming that UAE-bound passengers were being stopped at different airports in Pakistan following UAE’s new rule implemented in May this year which requires citizens of seven countries, including Pakistanis, to acquire separate passports for minors.

Officially, the Pakistan Consulate has been asked by the UAE government to ensure that all Pakistanis have separate passports by September 1. Availing of the four-month grace period from May to September, several Pakistani expats left for their home country on vacation, stating they would apply for separate passports on their return.

"We could have got the passports before we left for vacation, but there was a shortage of booklets at the consulate," said Tanvir Malik, whose family is in Pakistan for the summer break.

"We were told by the consulate that we would have to wait for one month before the new booklets are issued. This meant that my family would not be able to travel, so I decided to wait for their return," he said, adding: "But now with such reports floating around, I am very worried."

Sharing his apprehensions with Khaleej Times, Imran Shaikh, whose five-member family is also due to return from Pakistan soon, said: "I am really worried because my wife might be turned away from the airport with my small children because of this reason. This would cause real inconvenience to them."

He said if they were asked to apply for passports in Pakistan, it would mean another two months stay which would mean that the children would miss a month of school. "Besides, I have heard that passports acquired in Pakistan have to be attested by the UAE Embassy in Islamabad," he added.

Officials at the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai have also put in a word of caution to travelling Pakistanis.

"It is in their interest that all Pakistanis residing in the UAE acquire separate passports for their dependants as soon as possible," said Imran Mirza, Head of Chancery at the Pakistan Consulate.

Mirza also confirmed that isolated incidents of Pakistanis being stopped at airports had been reported.