New Delhi (NVI): In further global embarrassment for Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has halted issuing visas to it along with 12 other mostly Muslim nations, on account of “security concerns”.
Issuance of new visas to the nationals of Pakistan, along with countries like Turkey, Iran, Somalia and Afghanistan, has been halted with effect from November 18, according to reports.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry has confirmed that UAE had stopped issuing new visas to its nationals and that it was seeking information from the UAE regarding the reasons for it.
Although there was no elaboration on the “security concerns” cited for suspending the issuance of new visas, the move comes as a major embarrassment for Pakistan, which is increasingly getting isolated in the world because of being the epicenter of global terrorism.
Most of the terror incidents witnessed across the world have had links to Pakistan and because of this, the Pakistani passport is seen with growing suspicion by many nations.
What adds to Pakistan’s embarrassment is the fact that UAE has been its oldest ally.
Significantly, the move by UAE comes weeks after the Arab nation established diplomatic relations with Israel.
