Questions Over the Priorities of the Bureau of Immigration, Islamabad

Pakistan’s Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment, Islamabad, has recently been running awareness campaigns and publishing advertisements on social media and other platforms about Omani labour laws; however, serious observers believe that while these activities may be well intentioned, they do not address the real and fundamental issue, because Oman is a fully law-abiding state where laws are strictly enforced and complete legal protection is provided to everyone without discrimination, from workers to traders and from Omani nationals to foreign employees, and the Omani government has established a well-organized, transparent, and effective labour system in which no one’s rights are violated and no one is above the law, yet the continued promotion of Omani labour laws by the Bureau of Immigration Islamabad creates the impression that Pakistanis face legal problems in Oman, whereas ground realities clearly show that this is not the case and that the real issue lies in Pakistan’s internal administrative weaknesses, lack of seriousness in policy making, and absence of effective diplomatic engagement, as experts emphasize that the actual need is for Pakistan to engage in continuous, serious, and dignified negotiations and formal agreements with the Omani authorities to reopen labour visas for the Pakistani workforce, especially when Oman currently has large-scale construction, development, and infrastructure projects requiring skilled, hardworking, and responsible manpower, a standard that Pakistani workers are fully capable of meeting, while the Omani government has consistently prioritized law, discipline, and the protection of foreign workers’ rights, which is why Oman is internationally recognized as a safe, stable, and reliable country, whereas in Pakistan the Bureau of Immigration and related institutions appear focused on internal procedures, paperwork, and promotional activities instead of practical action, the consequences of which are directly borne by Pakistani workers and their families, as the prolonged closure of labour visas for Pakistani workers in a well-regulated and peaceful country like Oman is deeply concerning, leaving thousands of skilled Pakistani workers, already affected by unemployment at home, helpless despite their willingness to work honestly in a nearby and law-abiding country like Oman, while their families in Pakistan continue to suffer from financial pressure, educational difficulties, and social challenges, even though Omani labour laws are clearly worker-friendly and provide a transparent system for grievance redressal, reconciliation, access to courts, exemption from fees, and timely justice, therefore instead of repeatedly promoting Omani labour laws, the Bureau of Immigration’s real responsibility is to draw the attention of the Government of Pakistan toward holding high-level negotiations with Omani authorities, removing existing obstacles, building mutual trust, and adopting a practical strategy to reopen labour visas for Pakistani workers, especially since the reputation of Pakistani workers in Oman has always been positive and the Omani people have consistently treated foreign workers, particularly Pakistanis, with dignity, protection, and opportunity within the framework of the law, while at the same time greater priority must be given to addressing the problems faced by the families of overseas Pakistanis back home, including legal, financial, and social insecurity, issues that can only be reduced when the Government of Pakistan and its institutions move beyond statements and advertisements toward real action, adopt clear policies, and strengthen cooperation with a friendly and law-abiding country like Oman based on mutual respect and trust, because Oman has long set an example in upholding the rule of law, protecting foreign workers, and maintaining transparent systems, and if Pakistan demonstrates seriousness, ongoing projects in Oman can generate dignified employment opportunities for Pakistani workers, reducing unemployment in Pakistan, increasing remittances, and improving the lives of thousands of families, therefore it is essential that the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment Islamabad reassess its priorities, address internal shortcomings, play a constructive role by engaging the Government of Pakistan in effective negotiations with Omani authorities to resolve visa-related concerns, and work toward a practical framework that respects Omani laws, acknowledges the Omani government’s organized system and the positive role of Omani society, and opens employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce, because promoting Omani labour laws is not the real need for the Bureau of Immigration but rather correcting Pakistan’s lack of serious policy direction and effective diplomacy, and in this regard the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment Islamabad must play a positive role, including contributing to the protection and welfare of the families of migrant workers living in Oman and other countries. Written by Malik Sarfraz Hussain Awan