FM leaves for UAE today

E-Paper | April 26, 2026

ISLAMABAD: A couple of weeks after temporary suspension of issuance of visit visas to the citizens of a dozen countries, including Pakistan, by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will go to the UAE on Thursday (today).

“Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi will be visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 17-18 December,” said a handout issued by Foreign Office.

It said the foreign minister would hold discussions with the UAE leadership on all areas of mutual interest, including regional and global issues. He would also exchange views on bilateral cooperation, in particular trade, investment and welfare of Pakistani diaspora.

The foreign minister will also meet members of the Pakistani community and interact with local and international media. The UAE is home to the second largest Pakistani community abroad.

Last month, the UAE temporarily suspended the issuance of visit visas to a dozen countries, including Pakistan, until further notice. Officially, Pakistan believes that the UAE authorities took the decision due to second wave of Covid-19.

Sources said that during his visit, Foreign Minister Qureshi is expected to take up the issue of suspension of visas with the UAE authorities.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2020

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Kashif Ali Abbasi is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with 17 years of experience in journalism. He covers sports, the education sector, and civic issues. He can be found on X at @AbbasiKashif833.

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Altair

Dec 17, 2020 09:26am

We were told by FO days back , that matter was resolved. This is new development.

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Ben

Dec 17, 2020 09:29am

To seek another loan

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HKG

Dec 17, 2020 09:30am

Uninvited guest. Breaking all protocol. He will be snubbed like SA. Upon return empty handed, he will claim he achieved the objective.

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AJo

Dec 17, 2020 09:34am

FM leaves for UAE today for good?

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Common sense©

Dec 17, 2020 09:35am

Another loan? Or orders to reconcile with Israel and break away from Iran?

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BANDHU

Dec 17, 2020 09:36am

Will someone meet him or is it going to be Saudi style.

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kumar

Dec 17, 2020 09:37am

He got UAE VISA!

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Baazigar

Dec 17, 2020 09:41am

So finally he got visa to UAE.

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Anonymouseee

Dec 17, 2020 09:45am

Best of luck and pay no heed to haters.

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Communist

Dec 17, 2020 09:51am

No hope.

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Ariba

Dec 17, 2020 09:55am

Get help from mutual friendly countries FM, for a more inclusive approach to change mentalities of arabs towards Pakistan. It's high-time you all develop a lobby of positive minded pakistan inclined friendly countries to counter indian covert, and overt aggressive tactics gentleman! Think outside the box, please; initiate pro-pakistan covert aggressive initiatives in whatever manner it deems fit. Times have changed, so it's time we changed our strategies too, creatively!

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Gulfraz Suleman

Dec 17, 2020 10:07am

A lot of burning Indians here. Pakistan zindabaad.

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papa

Dec 17, 2020 10:12am

@Gulfraz Suleman, Not burning. Just laughing.

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Rahim

Dec 17, 2020 10:14am

What is PMIK doing? He should be the one visiting to get a royal welcome. Hard to see FMQ getting audience.

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Leo

Dec 17, 2020 10:18am

How to trust what he says on return? UAE also knows the situation in Pakistan. They also have an ex dictator as guest!

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Prince UAE

Dec 17, 2020 10:18am

UAE in Pakistan for Hobart hunting

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AAA

Dec 17, 2020 10:23am

"Sources said that during his visit, Foreign Minister Qureshi is expected to take up the issue of suspension of visas with the UAE authorities." But Zulfi Bukhari to Tahir Ashrafi both are telling that is not an issue and they already resolved it, question is where is article 62 and 63, people got no problem with PTI or PMLN or PPP, point is law must be equal for all, why PTI allowed to get away with all blunders.

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waqas mehmood

Dec 17, 2020 10:30am

More money needed

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Abdur R. Talukder

Dec 17, 2020 10:36am

Hope the discussion will be a gesture of friendship based on equality!

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Arora

Dec 17, 2020 10:40am

“ According to the latest survey by research company IPSOS, four out of every five persons in Pakistan view that the country is headed in the wrong direction”

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vivek

Dec 17, 2020 10:40am

@Gulfraz Suleman, Why . Any Logic?

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Bipin

Dec 17, 2020 10:50am

Turk or Arab? Choice is yours!

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Jai

Dec 17, 2020 10:56am

Falling in line !!!

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Subhi

Dec 17, 2020 10:58am

Probably to work out a plan to recognize Israel. Pakistan is feeling the immense pressure from the brother countries. For Pakistan not recognizing Israel will be catastrophic and Pakistan will not be able to sustain the pressure for long.

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JustSaying

Dec 17, 2020 10:59am

Damage Control Mode......

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Zak

Dec 17, 2020 11:10am

In the end, none of them can do without Pakistan, the regional power of South Asia.

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Zak

Dec 17, 2020 11:11am

@Ben, 'To seek another loan' India took 100% of the loan, nothing left.

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S Rizvi

Dec 17, 2020 11:11am

Haters Pro Indian

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Love

Dec 17, 2020 11:14am

How come his visa is approved? Or he will return from airport

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Li-N-Za

Dec 17, 2020 11:17am

Have no self respect. He should resign first to save country's interest.

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Kate Angel Dinara

Dec 17, 2020 11:18am

Mr SMQ has already done irreversible damage in relation with uae ... Now it's almost not possible to normalize the conditions...

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Logic

Dec 17, 2020 11:22am

More loans.

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Zak

Dec 17, 2020 11:25am

Discussing the failed Indian military chief visit. They will tell him how unimpressive he was.

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Hamza

Dec 17, 2020 11:29am

If Pakistan banned its citizens from working in the UAE, this small Arab country would collapse overnight. UAE needs Pakistan more than we need them.

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Pakistani1

Dec 17, 2020 11:30am

Visas for Pakistanis please!!

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Anamma

Dec 17, 2020 11:33am

Another GCC country going to cut there relationship with Pakistan very soon.

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Thinking

Dec 17, 2020 11:34am

Smq needs some training on controlling his emotions and loud mouth. Till that happens ,he should not be dreaming of PM position. Asad looks like a better choice in pti

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Abhi

Dec 17, 2020 11:34am

@Ben, I think, he will spoil the relation with UAE also.

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Abhi

Dec 17, 2020 11:35am

He wants to travel that is his intention.

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Ijaz

Dec 17, 2020 11:43am

@Zak, is it? Some thing is cooking. Why should IA chief be visiting Arab countries

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John The Baptist

Dec 17, 2020 11:44am

This is coming very shortly after India's Chief of Defence Services visited UAE. Must be a balancing effort.

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Tornado

Dec 17, 2020 12:17pm

After Saudi quest now its UAE turn. Hope his visit will not make UAE to return their loan

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Ansi

Dec 17, 2020 12:22pm

Saudi is eagerly waiting for FM's personal visit and apology.

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