Visa rejections for Pakistanis

Pakistan's economic struggles have deepened as the IMF's stringent stabilisation measures, including subsidy cuts and higher taxes, have choked economic growth, stifled job creation, and fuelled unemployment, especially among the youth. However, as misfortunes never come alone, Pakistani workers now face another challenge due to the rejection of their visa applications in Gulf countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – a vital destination for employment and remittances. With businesses at home reeling under inflation and high energy costs, many Pakistanis view overseas opportunities as their only lifeline. However, tightening visa policies in the Gulf are amplifying their despair, compounding Pakistan's economic woes and worsening its foreign remittance outlook. The combination of domestic economic contraction and diminished overseas employment prospects has created a perfect storm. Remittances, a vital lifeline for Pakistan's economy, are at risk of decline, further straining the country's balance of payments.