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Islamabad, Pakistan: “One of the challenges we face is that a segment of people misuse tourist visas to seek jobs illegally, or, in some cases, individuals with criminal records manage to slip through the system. This creates trust issues and impacts genuine travelers”.

This was observed by Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, the Ambassador of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in his interview with Dispatch News Desk (DND) News Agency Islamabad.

Ambassador Tirmizi believes that unskilled Pakistani labor as well as highly skilled and educated people such as bankers, IT professionals, doctors, engineers, and businessmen have positively contributed to the progress and development of the UAE. Ambassador Tirmizi whose door is open to every Pakistani living in UAE believes that the Embassy should act as the “home of every Pakistani living in UAE instead of only a residence of the Ambassador”.

Hereunder is the text of his interview:

Question: Your Excellency, Pakistani students studying in UAE, as well as the diaspora at large, call your tenure ‘a golden era’ of Pakistan’s public diplomacy in the Gulf. What are the ingredients of your public diplomacy that make you different from others?

Answer: During my tenure, I have prioritized active outreach, ensuring that our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai remain approachable to all Pakistanis living in the UAE. I have made it a point to regularly engage with the community through various platforms, be it through community events, media, social media, or in-person meetings, ensuring that people know their voices are heard. My team and I have focused on availability as we are not just sitting in our offices but going out to meet the community where they are.

Active community engagement is central to fostering stronger ties between Pakistan and the UAE, believes Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi

Additionally, we’ve adopted a proactive approach to collaboration—whether with students, professionals, or business leaders—to foster stronger ties between Pakistan and the UAE. Active community engagement is central, from supporting cultural events to providing consular services efficiently. Another essential aspect has been our close cooperation with the UAE government, which strengthens bilateral relations and facilitates the Pakistani diaspora’s integration and contribution to the UAE. 

Question: There is a general perception that the UAE is a destination for illiterate and unskilled manpower from Pakistan. Is it true? If not, what are the fields where educated and skilled segments of Pakistani society can find opportunities?

Answer: I somehow agree that historically UAE had been a destination for the majority of unskilled Pakistani labor, but that does not mean that our highly skilled and educated people did not come here. Pakistani bankers, IT professionals, doctors, engineers, and businessmen have positively contributed to the progress and development of the UAE. The UAE has long evolved from being a destination for just unskilled labor. Today, Pakistani professionals are excelling across various sectors. Our skilled workforce includes IT professionals who are contributing to the UAE’s digital transformation, engineers working in construction and technology, and finance experts such as bankers, accountants, and auditors who play crucial roles in the UAE’s financial services sector.

One of the challenges we face is that a segment of people misuse tourist visas to seek jobs illegally, or, in some cases, individuals with criminal records manage to slip through the system. This creates trust issues and impacts genuine travelers

In the healthcare industry, Pakistani doctors, nurses, and other health professionals have gained a strong reputation for their expertise. Additionally, Pakistanis are thriving in academia, research, media, and entrepreneurship. There are countless opportunities for those with education, skills, and the right attitude to contribute to and benefit from the UAE’s rapidly growing economy. So, I strongly encourage educated Pakistanis to explore these sectors where their skills are highly valued.

My message to the youth is simple: every Pakistani abroad is an ambassador of our country. Your conduct, work ethics, and integrity reflect on Pakistan as a whole

Question: The UAE visa regime is making it tougher for Pakistanis to travel. What are the reasons behind this, and how can they be mitigated?

Answer: One of the challenges we face is that a segment of people misuse tourist visas to seek jobs illegally, or, in some cases, individuals with criminal records manage to slip through the system. This creates trust issues and impacts genuine travelers.

We need to enhance pre-departure scrutiny. We should implement more stringent checks to ensure that only law-abiding citizens, with no criminal background, are allowed to go abroad. We need to focus on verifying documentation authenticity and ensuring that those traveling for work have the appropriate visas rather than misusing tourist visas.  Through better coordination between our government and the UAE, we can help address these concerns and streamline the visa process for genuine travelers.

Question: What message do you want to send to the youth of Pakistan based on your experience working in the Gulf region?

Answer: My message to the youth is simple: every Pakistani abroad is an ambassador of our country. Your conduct, work ethics, and integrity reflect on Pakistan as a whole. Therefore, make sure to maintain a positive image. Work hard, be disciplined, and contribute meaningfully to the society you live in. Whether you are here for studies, employment, or business, respect the local laws and policies, which will open doors to further opportunities.

Additionally, I urge all Pakistanis to take pride in their contributions and ensure that when they send money back home, it is done through legal and formal banking channels, which supports our national economy. The Gulf region, particularly the UAE, offers immense opportunities for those willing to put in the effort, and I encourage every young Pakistani to make the most of these prospects.

Editor’s Note: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi is a career Diplomat who strongly believes in emerging diplomatic engagements including Public Diplomacy. A postgraduate of the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1993 and since then handled bilateral, multilateral, consular, and administrative assignments both in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and abroad. He served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Desk Officer of Middle East, Central Asia, Afghanistan, India as well as Director of Personnel, Protocol and Foreign Secretary’s Office. He has held various diplomatic assignments in Pakistan Missions abroad in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, Kyrgyzstan, Abu Dhabi, and the United Arab Emirates.