Islamabad, December 21, 2024:The Pakistani government has blocked the passports of 4,700 Pakistani nationals currently imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to media reports. This action follows the federal government’s decision to revoke the passports of citizens involved in criminal activities abroad.
Out of a total of 5,292 Pakistanis incarcerated in the UAE on various charges, 2,470 individuals convicted of drug-related offenses, 100 involved in fraud, cheating, or sexual harassment, and 704 convicted of theft have had their passports blocked. Additionally, the passports of 216 individuals convicted of murder or robbery and 375 residing illegally in the UAE have also been revoked.
The action was prompted by detailed crime reports provided by UAE authorities, enabling the Pakistani government to implement the measure in accordance with legal provisions.
This move mirrors a similar step taken two months ago, when the passports of thousands of Pakistanis imprisoned in Saudi Arabia were also blocked as part of an ongoing effort to address the involvement of nationals in criminal activities abroad.
