By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to introduce a pre-immigration clearance system aimed at streamlining travel between the two countries, officials said, with a formal agreement expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The initiative was finalized during meetings between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the UAE’s Director General of Customs and Port Security, who discussed the launch of a pilot scheme and agreed to maintain close coordination to ensure its smooth implementation.
Under the proposed system, passengers departing from Pakistan will complete immigration and customs procedures before leaving the country, allowing them to bypass lengthy formalities upon arrival in the UAE. Minister Naqvi explained that the arrangement would enable travelers to exit the airport immediately, in a manner similar to domestic travel, thereby reducing waiting times and improving the overall travel experience.
Officials said the pilot program would initially be implemented at selected airports and, if successful, gradually expanded to cover additional locations. The pre-clearance system is part of wider efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation, strengthen people-to-people ties, and facilitate smoother movement for business and leisure travelers alike.
The announcement comes amid growing economic and cultural links between Pakistan and the UAE, which have historically maintained close trade, investment and labor relationships. Analysts said the system could significantly benefit frequent travelers, particularly Pakistani expatriates, by cutting procedural delays and improving connectivity.
