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Amnesty: Over 9,000 Pakistani illegals benefited

DUBAI — Over 9,000 illegal Pakistanis in Dubai and the Northern Emirates have benefited from the amnesty announced by the UAE government earlier last month, an official from the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai said yesterday.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Najeeb Durrani, head of Chancery at Pakistan Consulate said, “the rush has dwindled considerably as almost five to six people visit the centres established by the consulate daily for outpasses. However, we still expect more people to turn up as the amnesty period continues until September.”

The official added that more than 25,000 Pakistanis were expected to be repatriated under the scheme.

Several centres have been set up by the consulate in Dubai and Northern Emirates to facilitate the formalities for amnesty-seekers, including those on Pakistan Association premises in Dubai and Sharjah, another one in Fujairah and one in Ras Al Khaimah.

“Officials are available at these centres seven days a week except in Ras Al Khaimah, which runs two times a week,” explained Durrani.

He added that the Pakistan Consulate was handling only those cases which required interviews. “Officials at the consulate only handle people without documents who need interviewing to verify whether they are citizens of Pakistan,” said Durrani. He also said that most people seeking amnesty included those who had entered the country illegally after crossing the border using boats.

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