Over 7,500 outpasses issued to Pakistanis

DUBAI- The response to the amnesty by illegal Pakistanis has increased since the announcement of the April 20 deadline set by the Pakistan embassy in Abu Dhabi.

by

Asma Ali Zain

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Published: Wed 9 Apr 2003, 11:48 AM

Last updated: Wed 1 Apr 2015, 9:57 PM

"Though the UAE government has set April 30 as the final deadline, we need a margin of at least 10 days to process papers and deal with any unseen eventualities," Pakistani Consul-General Amanullah Larik told Khaleej Timesyesterday. Till now, the Consulate General has issued 7,500 outpasses while 5-6 applications are still pending, he said.

As per the new rule, all Pakistani amnesty seekers are now required to present at least one original document: birth certificate, driving licence, passport, domicile, identity card etc, for security reasons.

To a question, Mr Larik said that as a majority of the Pakistani illegal residents in the country were illiterate and belonged to the labour class, officers from the Pakistani mission were working at all levels to communicate and inform them of the benefit of seeking amnesty on time.

He further said the amnesty seekers would be suitably rehabilitated, according to their experience and qualification once they returned to the country. "The Overseas Pakistani Foundation (OPF) is collating with the government of Pakistan in this regard," he added.

Clarifying a news item, Mr Larik said that no action whatsoever will be taken against those people applying for amnesty after the April 20 deadline.

He said the aim of the Pakistani missions was to encourage people to apply and benefit from the amnesty call rather than scare them by announcing penalties if the deadlines were not met. "Though it is necessary to abide by the rules and get the outpasses issued till April 20, we will still work even after April 20 but before April 30," he said.

In a bid to further improve the distribution system of outpasses, Mr Larik said three Pakistani airlines that have set up special counters at the diplomatic missions to facilitate the amnesty seekers, have now been asked to issue the outpasses along with the tickets.


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