Pakistanis living in Dubai and the northern emirates of the UAE have been encouraged to renew their passports and National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) cards online to save time and avoid the hassle of visiting the consulate.
The advice was shared by Hussain Muhammad, the Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, during an interview with Khaleej Times on the occasion of Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day.
With approximately 1.7 million Pakistanis residing in the UAE, many of whom live and work in the northern emirates, the consulate in Dubai faces capacity constraints.
Muhammad highlighted that nearly 900 people visit the consulate daily for passport services, and up to 400 for ID card renewals, which exceeds the mission’s capacity.
Muhammad urged the Pakistani community to take advantage of the online renewal services for passports and ID cards, emphasizing that the process is straightforward and can be completed from the comfort of their homes in just 5 to 10 minutes. He noted that detailed guidelines are available to assist with the online renewal process.
The Independence Day celebrations in Dubai saw hundreds of Pakistanis dressed in traditional attire gathering at the consulate and embassy.
The event included a flag hoisting ceremony, the reading of special messages from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, national songs, and a cake-cutting ceremony. In Abu Dhabi, schoolchildren performed national songs, adding to the patriotic spirit.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of unity, faith, and discipline in driving Pakistan’s socio-economic progress.
He praised the Pakistani community for their contributions to both the UAE’s development and Pakistan’s economy through remittances.
On August 11, over 10,000 people gathered at the Dubai World Trade Centre to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day, reflecting the strong sense of national pride among Pakistanis in the UAE.
