Pakistan Ambassador to UAE Unveils Plans for New Consular Facility in Dubai

TDT | Manama

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In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has announced plans to build a new, modern consular facility in Dubai to better serve the rapidly growing Pakistani population in the UAE. With the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE now nearing 2 million, Tirmizi emphasized the urgent need for expanded infrastructure to meet the rising demand for consular services.

“We’ve already signed a proposal and sent it for approval to Pakistan’s government. We are hoping for a delegation from Pakistan in the coming months to finalize the project,” said Ambassador Tirmizi, outlining the steps already in motion for the new facility. The new building aims to provide modern, efficient services, focusing on consular services, visa issuance, legal consultations, and emergency assistance.

Addressing Growing Demands

The current consulate, dating back to the 1980s, no longer meets the increasing demands of the Pakistani community, according to the ambassador. "The size of the community was much smaller when the consular facilities were first constructed. Now, we must expand to meet the demand," Tirmizi explained.

Ambassador Tirmizi underscored that the new consular facility will be designed to offer a more spacious and comfortable environment, especially as consular services often surge during peak periods like summer, when many individuals seek services related to travel or holiday arrangements. "The situation becomes overwhelming during summer, with thousands of people seeking services," he said.

Temporary Relocation and Online Services Expansion

To continue providing essential services during the construction phase, the consulate will temporarily relocate to another venue in Dubai. However, Tirmizi highlighted the progress made through digital solutions, noting that visa services and passport renewals are now fully online, reducing some of the strain on physical infrastructure. Despite these advancements, the consulate still experiences high foot traffic, with more than 1,000 visitors daily seeking consular assistance, primarily for national identity cards and passports.

Enhancing Diplomatic Outreach and Service Quality

The new consular facility is also part of a broader strategy to enhance Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and ensure more effective service delivery to the country’s sizable expatriate community in the UAE. "We need a facility that can cater to the needs of our vibrant and growing community," Tirmizi reiterated.

The ambassador also noted the recent upgrade of the consular hall at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which now features modern amenities to provide an improved experience for visitors.

Looking Beyond Dubai

In addition to the expanding services in Dubai, Ambassador Tirmizi mentioned the potential use of existing facilities at the Pakistani centres in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, further expanding Pakistan’s consular reach across the UAE.

With plans already in place and government approval pending, the ambitious project to build a new consular facility in Dubai is poised to provide enhanced support to the UAE’s Pakistani expatriate community, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan-UAE diplomatic relations.