Malik Sarfraz Hussain Awan

Challenges Faced by Pakistanis Abroad: Pakistan’s Diplomatic and Economic Failures. AI-Generated.

Start writing... The relationship between Pakistan and the Sultanate of Oman has always been based on brotherhood and mutual respect. Oman has consistently welcomed Pakistani workers and traders. However, the visa obstacles faced by Pakistanis over the past year are not due to the Omani authorities, but are the result of Pakistan’s diplomatic inefficiency. The Government of Pakistan has completely failed to address the concerns of the Omani authorities regarding visas and to reassure them. India, on the other hand, has established mechanisms at the government level for its citizens to work and invest in Oman, ensuring that Omani authorities have no reservations. This comparison clearly shows that when a country’s leadership is serious about protecting its citizens’ interests, it overcomes all obstacles and clears the way. In contrast, our government remains engaged only in political maneuvering. More than a year has passed, yet the Government of Pakistan has still failed to effectively resolve visa-related issues faced by Pakistani citizens in Oman. During this period, numerous Pakistanis have legally registered small and medium-sized companies in Oman to promote trade, completed all required documentation, obtained commercial licenses, and in some cases rented offices, restaurants, and shops on a monthly basis. Yet due to visa delays, they have not been able to start their businesses. These individuals are under severe financial pressure, as they continue to pay rent, government fees, and other expenses without any income. All their hopes are tied to the Government of Pakistan, hoping that a serious diplomatic initiative will resolve their issues, but so far, they have only been met with disappointment. This situation reflects the fact that the Government of Pakistan has failed, on one hand, to provide dignified employment within the country, and on the other hand, those who seek to improve their livelihoods abroad through legal work also face numerous obstacles. Incidents of being offloaded at airports are increasing, which undermines public confidence and damages the country’s reputation. Unemployment, inflation, and economic instability have placed ordinary citizens under immense pressure. When employment opportunities are limited, social deterioration becomes inevitable. In such circumstances, the responsibility of the state to provide its citizens with dignified means of livelihood increases, yet unfortunately, Pakistan’s current policies do not reflect such seriousness. This is precisely where the saying holds true: poverty erases the sense of refinement, and hunger cannot be confined within the molds of etiquette. It is noteworthy that Oman currently has large-scale development and construction projects underway, including new cities, residential communities, modern roads, bridges, ports, industrial zones, and tourist centers, all of which require a significant number of skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers. Pakistan has millions of youth skilled in trades such as carpentry, labor work, electrical work, plumbing, welding, driving, and other technical fields, who can play a vital role in these projects. If the Government of Pakistan adopts timely and serious diplomatic strategies, not only can millions of Pakistani families gain employment, but the country can also earn valuable foreign exchange. On the other hand, continuous delays and negligence would waste this golden opportunity. This situation requires serious consideration because, without timely and solid diplomatic action, the economic existence of Pakistani investors and workers abroad could be severely threatened, and Pakistan’s reputation at the international level could also be harmed. The Government of Pakistan must go beyond formal statements and temporary announcements, engage in purposeful and results-oriented discussions with Omani authorities, and secure for its citizens the same practical facilities and protections that other countries successfully obtain for their workforce and investors. It is regrettable that Pakistani ministers and senior officials have visited Oman, yet no comprehensive or clear policy for the issuance of visas for skilled, semi-skilled, and commercial workers has been implemented. These visits have remained largely ceremonial and have not addressed the real issues of the public. Moreover, Pakistan’s senior leadership appears so entangled in internal political differences and power struggles that public issues are sidelined, and parliamentary forums prioritize political conflicts over public welfare, directly harming ordinary citizens. The time has come for the Government of Pakistan to act with seriousness, prioritize the issues of Pakistani investors and workers abroad, and take immediate and practical steps to integrate Pakistan’s workforce into ongoing development projects. Otherwise, this issue could escalate further, with consequences felt not only abroad but also within the country for a prolonged period.By: Malik Sarfraz Hussain Awan