Pakistan, UAE agree to evolve mechanism for criminals’ extradition

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to evolve an effective strategy for extradition of Pakistanis detained in the UAE for committing petty crimes.

An agreement to that effect was reached during a meeting held the other day between UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfikar Bukhari here, a spokesperson of Ministry of Overseas Pakistani and Human Resource Development said.

In the meeting, the two sides discussed plight of Pakistani workers imprisoned in the UAE for minor crimes and considered ways and means to mitigate their sufferings.

They also deliberated on the matters of bilateral interests and stressed the need for further cementing the existing ties between the two countries.

The discussion focused on how to improve the working conditions for the blue-collar Pakistani workers across the UAE and they agreed to increase opportunities for the Pakistani manpower there.

The ambassador, in the meeting, expressed his commitment towards improving the visa process by establishing a specialized visa desk at the UAE consulates operating in Pakistan.

The special assistant underlined the need for better coordination among relevant departments of both the countries to forge closer ties as it would eventually enhance the export of skilled labour for future projects across the UAE as an investment in human’s capital of Pakistan.