A Pakistani MP and former Nationwide Meeting speaker, Asad Qaiser, has alleged that a number of Pakistani travellers, together with himself, have been handled unfairly at a lodge within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a flight cancellation. He claimed that solely Indian and US passport holders have been supplied lodging.
Elevating the problem in Pakistan’s Nationwide Meeting (Parliament), Qaiser sought diplomatic intervention and urged the federal government to take up the matter with the UAE authorities. The MP claimed that the incident occurred regardless of Pakistan having “performed a constructive position within the US-Iran battle”.
Qaiser mentioned he personally skilled the incident whereas travelling within the UAE after his flight was cancelled and passengers sought lodge lodging. He claimed an announcement was made that solely Indian and US passport holders can be accommodated, whereas Pakistani passengers have been handled in another way.
“I used to be travelling myself, and the behaviour proven there was extraordinarily inappropriate. Our flight was cancelled. We wished to remain in a lodge, however their angle in direction of us Pakistanis was not good. An announcement was being made that solely passport holders from India and America can be accommodated,” the PTI chief mentioned.
Qaiser mentioned he protested in opposition to the remedy and expressed disappointment over the incident, significantly given Pakistan’s shut ties with the UAE, which he described as a “brother Islamic nation”.
He additionally highlighted the contribution of Pakistanis to the UAE’s improvement and mentioned Islamabad wished its relations with the Gulf nation to strengthen additional.
“I imagine we’ve diplomatic channels; they need to elevate this matter,” Qaiser mentioned, urging Pakistan’s International Workplace and International Minister to take up the problem with UAE authorities.
Qaiser added {that a} delegation had additionally approached him with complaints about comparable remedy. He mentioned the Pakistani individuals continued to respect and have affection for the UAE authorities and careworn that such incidents shouldn’t be allowed to have an effect on relations between the 2 nations.
The UAE is dwelling to a big Pakistani expatriate group. Current estimates put the variety of Pakistanis dwelling within the nation at greater than 1.5 million, making them one of many UAE’s largest expatriate communities.
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