Abu Dhabi: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, where the two leaders held extensive discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
A major breakthrough came as the UAE assured Pakistan of concrete steps to ease visa challenges faced by its citizens, particularly for work permits—a move set to bring much-needed relief to thousands seeking employment in the Emirates.
The meeting also highlighted commitments to bolster cooperation on security, combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration, and harness advanced technologies, including AI, to tackle modern threats. Touring Abu Dhabi Police’s cutting-edge operations center, Minister Naqvi expressed keen interest in replicating such systems in Pakistan. The talks reaffirmed the enduring friendship between the two nations, with both sides emphasizing their shared resolve to deepen collaboration across all spheres.
During the extensive meeting, a key focus was the UAE visa issue currently faced by Pakistani citizens, particularly concerns regarding visa rejections and difficulties in obtaining work visas. It was agreed upon that necessary measures would be taken to facilitate Pakistani citizens in acquiring visas, especially work visas. The UAE Interior Minister assured Mohsin Naqvi of all possible cooperation in this regard, a development that is expected to bring considerable relief to the Pakistani diaspora and those seeking employment opportunities in the UAE.
The discussions also delved into enhancing cooperation and exchanging technology in security matters, with a strong emphasis on curbing drug smuggling and illegal immigration. Both Interior Ministers reviewed the historical relations between the two friendly countries and reiterated their determination to promote bilateral cooperation across various fields. They also deliberated upon the regional situation and explored ways to foster lasting peace.
A significant point of discussion was the increasing need to leverage new technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to effectively address contemporary security challenges. Minister Naqvi also toured the modern policing and operations center of Abu Dhabi Police, where he was briefed on the city’s advanced surveillance and crime-prevention systems, expressing Pakistan’s interest in adopting similar systems.
This meeting underscores the growing partnership between Pakistan and the UAE, not just in economic and cultural ties, but also in critical areas of security and human mobility.
