Gulfood may not happen because business people ask for government help.
By Mahnoor | 28-07-2026
ISLAMABAD: Business leaders warn that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly stopped giving visas to Pakistanis, which hurts exports and disrupts international trade.
Ismail Suttar, head of the Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, said the UAE is not giving visas to Pakistanis in any category, causing big problems for exporters, traders, and business groups. He said the reasons for this are not officially shared, so the business community is unsure about future trade with this important partner.
“We sent a letter to the UAE consul general on June 11 and followed up on July 7, but nothing has changed yet,” said a member of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Many businessmen have set up offices in Dubai, some running for years. But now they face strict travel rules, with visa applications being rejected for everyone. Even business owners who have been in Dubai for 30 years and have their families there are getting visa denials for visiting relatives like parents and siblings. “This is a big problem with Dubai, so we told the UAE consul general about it,” he said, asking not to be named.
Suttar said the visa problem was already affecting business planning for the upcoming Gulfood exhibition, which is set for early next year in Dubai. Many Pakistani food companies are unlikely to take part because they fear their sales teams will not get visas.
“When salespeople cannot get visas, companies cannot show their products, meet buyers, or find new export chances,” he said. He warned that ongoing restrictions could hurt Pakistan’s efforts to grow exports in regional and global markets. Shahid Anwar, former secretary general of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), said the visa situation for Pakistani citizens traveling to the Middle East is mixed. Some Gulf countries have introduced helpful measures, but Pakistani businesses still face major visa problems in others. This difference, he said, requires more diplomatic work and closer coordination with trading partners.
He pointed to two good changes. Saudi Arabia started a tourist visa program that included Pakistan among the first countries, making travel easier for Pakistani visitors. Kuwait brought back many visa types for Pakistanis after almost ten years, creating new chances for business, jobs, tourism, and family visits. These steps show growing trust in the relationship between the countries.
The UAE situation, however, is still more complicated. Officially, UAE authorities say there is no visa ban and all types are still being processed. ‘But there seems to be a big difference between the official statement and what many Pakistani business travelers have experienced,’ Anwar said.
Usman Shaukat, head of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said many of its members who have businesses in the UAE face big visa problems. They have long business ties and even own property there, but still can’t get visas. Important business meetings have been canceled, and many exporters missed big shows like Gulfood, Dubai Health, and Middle East Health. These problems affect businesses in Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, and other business cities.
Aviation experts told similar stories about travel issues. Wahid Mukhtar, an aviation expert, said only Saudi Arabia still has strong travel, helped by Umrah trips. The UAE is stuck badly, with travel down 95% because visas are not coming. Even family visa requests are rejected 65% of the time, with only 30 to 35% success. Visit visas are almost gone, but labor visa holders still travel. Qatar stopped giving visas on arrival to Pakistanis. Holiday travel has moved to Azerbaijan and Tashkent, while Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore still do well.
Masood Ahmed said visa issues are also hurting healthcare. Dubai is not giving visas to people under 40, even with letters. Those over 40 can get visas. During Arab Health, some under 40 got visas only if they traveled with family. He said, “There is definitely a problem.”
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