272 Pakistani, Indian visit visa holders still stranded at Dubai airport

Dubai - A total of 1,225 Pakistani passengers have been denied entry upon arrival at DXB.

About 206 Pakistanis and 66 Indians with visit visas continue to be stranded at the Dubai International Airport (DXB) as on Monday for failing to meet the set entry regulations, diplomats have told Khaleej Times.

A total of 1,225 Pakistani passengers have been denied entry upon arrival at DXB since authorities started ensuring that visit visa holders have a return air ticket, Dh2,000 cash or a hotel booking.

An official at the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai said: "As many as 1,019 people who were denied entry have been repatriated while the remaining 206 are at the airport awaiting repatriation in the next 12 hours. Passengers who are stranded at the airport are being taken care of and have been provided food."

He said the consulate has informed the authorities concerned to ensure that visitors meet the criteria set by the authorities here.

Ahmed Amjad Ali, consul-general at Pakistan Consulate Dubai, said: "Immigration officers (in Pakistan) interview the passengers and allow them to board only after ensuring they meet the requirements."

59 Indians stranded for 48 hours

Neeraj Agarwal, Consul - Press, Information, and Culture at the Consulate General of India in Dubai, confirmed a total of 66 Indian passengers are stranded at the airport, including two women. "About 59 passengers who flew in from Delhi on a GoAir flight have been stranded for more than 48 hours now," he said.

The remaining six passengers flew in on Emirates Airlines, he added.

Agarwal said: "As soon as we were told the passengers are stranded, our officers arrived at the airport immediately. We can confirm that all stranded passengers were carrying confirmed return tickets and many were also carrying sufficient money.

"Food and other supplies are being given to the passengers. The matter has been relayed by the Consul-General of India in Dubai to the highest authorities in the UAE's immigration department. As of today, our embassy in Abu Dhabi has also reached out to federal authorities."

Last week, several hundred passengers were stranded at the airport for non-compliance with pre-travel regulations. Since then, airlines and travel agents have been informing passengers to have the required documents and cash.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com