DUBAI: Pakistanis living in the United Arab Emirates lauded Saturday’s announcement regarding Emirati citizenship for investors, specialized talent and professionals, as a ‘historic breakthrough.’
The announcement was made by UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum on Twitter, and said people who would be granted citizenship of the country include scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, authors and their families.
“This is a historic breakthrough and especially for investors who have been concerned about citizenship rights and permanent residency,” Dubai-based Ali Rao, Group CEO of Elixir Investment Group, told Arab News on Sunday.
“The new amendment in the UAE law will increase investment inflow from Pakistan and will also play a vital role in bilateral relations,” he said.
Rao has been a UAE resident for eight years and leads a diverse holding company with expertise spanning across technology, real estate, marketing and financial services.
A UAE passport is considered one of the world’s most sought after citizenships, and allows visa-free travel to 118 countries.
“Pakistanis will be able to expand their investment portfolios in the wider world with the UAE citizenship,” Rao said.
Syeda Noor Zahra, a Dubai-based Pakistani artist said that the announcement came at a time people were feeling insecure and losing hope in the middle of the pandemic.
“This is a great incentive, especially in these uncertain times,” Zahra, who has lived in the UAE for seven years since she moved from Lahore, told Arab News.
She added that as an artist – one of the categories eligible for citizenship– she hopes to make the UAE her permanent home.
“My children have been born here and I consider myself a good resident. Now I am hoping to make UAE my permanent home,” she said.
Saturday’s announcement also said that the UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts and executive councils would choose those eligible for the citizenship under clear criteria set for each category.
Additionally, the law allows recipients of the UAE passport to keep their existing citizenships as well, as the new law aims to “attract talents that contribute to our development journey.”
There are 1.2 million Pakistanis in the UAE and they are among the top 10 investors in Dubai’s real estate sector, according to statistics released by the Dubai Land Department in 2020.
Ahmad Shaikhani, President of the Pakistan Business Council and head of the Shaikhani Group, which has invested billions of dirhams in the UAE property market since it was established 20 years ago, told Arab News that the move gave rise to a “sense of security.”
“We have invested in the country and this move gives us a sense of security and is also likely to encourage more investment especially since the new law will allow dual nationality with a controlled tax regime,” he said.
He added that the UAE’s move could lead the way for other countries in the Middle East to take similar steps for communities living and contributing in their societies.
Raja Khan, owner of Sedam Aluminium, who set up his business in the UAE in 1973, said the announcement was great news for the members of Pakistani expat communities who might have considered migrating away from the UAE previously.
“If they get citizenship, they will be more committed to the country,” Khan said.
“We have been good residents and we have contributed to the country and its economy. This announcement will boost the economy further,” he said.
