The Government of Pakistan has blocked the passports of more than 3,000 Pakistanis imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates on various criminal charges.

As many as 2,470 prisoners were implicated in drug-related offences; 100 in fraud, deception, and sexual harassment; 216 in murder and robbery cases; 704 people imprisoned for theft-related crimes; and 375 residing illegally in the UAE, sources from the interior ministry said while sharing the breakdown.

This follows a similar action taken two months ago when thousands of Pakistani passports were blocked for citizens imprisoned in Saudi jails.

Earlier this year, a senior official from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) urged illegal residents in the UAE to take advantage of the visa amnesty.

The initiative, set to end on October 31, was extended to allow more time for people who overstayed to regularise their status or return to their home countries without penalties.

GDRFA Director General Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri emphasised the urgency of the situation. “The amnesty is going to end, and overstayers who have not yet regularized their status should utilize the remaining time of the grace period to rectify their residency violations.”

It merits here mentioning that the UAE’s Bureau of Immigration has implemented a new condition for employment visas from Pakistan. Applicants would require a police character certificate in addition to their work visa.

The UAE has expanded its list of cities subject to a visit visa ban from 24 to 30 Pakistani cities.