Pak MP Claims UAE Hotel Allowed Only Indian and US Passport Holders After Flight Cancellation

A Pakistani MP has alleged that several Pakistani travellers, including himself, were denied hotel accommodation in the United Arab Emirates after a flight cancellation, while Indian and US passport holders were reportedly offered rooms.

Former National Assembly speaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser raised the issue in Pakistan's National Assembly, urging the government to use diplomatic channels and take up the matter with the UAE authorities.

According to Qaiser, the incident took place when his flight was cancelled in the UAE and stranded passengers sought accommodation at a hotel. He claimed that an announcement was made stating that only passengers holding Indian and US passports would be accommodated, while Pakistani travellers were allegedly treated differently.

Qaiser said he personally experienced what he described as inappropriate behaviour towards Pakistani passengers. He said he protested against the alleged treatment and expressed concern over the incident, particularly because Pakistan and the UAE have long maintained close relations.

The Pakistani leader also referred to the UAE as a brotherly Islamic country and said Pakistan had contributed to maintaining strong ties with the Gulf nation. He highlighted the role of Pakistani expatriates in the UAE's development and said Islamabad wanted bilateral relations to continue strengthening.

Calling for diplomatic intervention, Qaiser urged Pakistan's Foreign Office and Foreign Minister to raise the matter with the UAE government. He said a delegation had also approached him with complaints about similar experiences and stressed that such incidents should be addressed to prevent them from affecting relations between Pakistan and the UAE.

The UAE is home to a large Pakistani expatriate population, with estimates placing the number of Pakistani nationals living and working in the country at more than 1.5 million.