Thursday, Apr 04, 2013
Abu Dhabi: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Jameel Ahmad Khan, has directed the staff at the embassy and consulate to extend the validity of expired passports due to delays in the delivery of new booklets
The ambassador urged the staff to extend support to the community members who are facing problems because of the persisting delays in the issuance of new passports, according to an embassy statement.
At present, the backlog in the issuance of new Machine Readable Passports (MRP) stands at more than 40,000 from the UAE alone. In view of the gravity of the matter, which can cause loss of jobs and cancellation of visas, the envoy individually met with a number of visitors and answered their queries. He assured the community of the embassy’s support on the matter of persisting shortage in the issuance of Machine Readable Passports.
Renewal of passports is taking as long as six months and residents face hefty fines to renew their visas and also put on hold their travel plans.
“I applied for the passport four months ago and still waiting to receive it,” said Esmail K., a resident of Sharjah. He said he was stuck as he can’t renew his family’s and his visas.
“Until the time we are able to get new Machine Readable Passports printed, the Embassy of Pakistan would continue to extend the validity of the existing passports to assist the community with any visa-related concerns they are facing while here in the Emirates,” Khan said.
He added that the mission would also approach the UAE authorities for help for people facing difficulties because of the lack of necessary documents. He also advised the community members to apply for their passports well in advance and not to wait for the last date of expiry.
“Let me assure all of you present here that the embassy has conveyed to the relevant government ministries in Pakistan to address the problems being faced by the Pakistani expatriates because of the shortage of passport booklets. And I will remind the authorities again to address this matter at the earliest,” he said.
Khan also separately met with the community leaders at the embassy and apprised them of the situation involving passport delays and the corrective measures undertaken by the Pakistan missions in the UAE. The ambassador also visited the National Database and Registration Authority office at the embassy and instructed the staff to leave no stone unturned in meeting the valid requests of the visitors without delays.
By Sara Sabry Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
