ISLAMABAD: Passengers traveling from Pakistan and transiting through Dubai will have to take a rapid PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test before departure from tomorrow, Friday, Emirates, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has said.
On August 5, UAE lifted a ban on transit passenger traffic from Pakistan, India, Nigeria and other countries though it still requires travelers from these countries to present negative COVID-19 tests that are not done more than four hours before their departure.
The rapid PCR test can determine a COVID-19 case even before a person becomes infectious, making it possible to isolate such individuals on time. Other types of tests detect viral proteins, revealing the coronavirus presence in a person’s respiratory system at the peak of the infection.
“Passengers arriving in Dubai from the following countries will be required to take another COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival at Dubai International airport,” Emirates said in a statement on its website that listed Pakistan.
“In addition to the testing requirement for passengers traveling to or though Dubai, effective 27 August 2021, all passengers traveling to or transferring through Dubai from Pakistan are required to take a COVID‑19 Rapid PCR test at the departure airport before their scheduled flight.”
UAE nationals are exempted from the above requirements but subject to COVID‑19 PCR testing on arrival in Dubai.
Other requirements include that passengers traveling from Pakistan must carry a negative COVID-19 PCR test with a validity of 48 hours before departure from UAE-approved laboratories.
To facilitate Pakistani passengers traveling to the UAE, Pakistan this month put in place PCR rapid testing facility at all international airports in the country.
From tomorrow, PCR test required on arrival in Dubai for transit passengers from Pakistan
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From tomorrow, PCR test required on arrival in Dubai for transit passengers from Pakistan
- On August 5, UAE lifted a ban on transit passenger traffic from Pakistan and other countries
- A rapid PCR test can identify COVID-19 even before a person becomes infectious
Pakistan, Oman navies discuss maritime security, ink agreement to share shipping data
- Visiting Oman royal navy commander calls on Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf in Islamabad
- White shipping agreement refers to exchange of prior information on movement of commercial ships
ISLAMABAD: The naval commanders of Pakistan and Oman discussed regional maritime security on Wednesday and signed an agreement to share shipping information with each other, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
The press release followed a meeting between Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the visiting Oman Royal Navy Commander Rear Admiral Saif Bin Nasser Bin Mohsin Al Rahbi at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.
Both navies maintain close professional relations, reflected in expert-level staff talks, joint training, bilateral exercises, and participation in multilateral exercises between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security and bilateral naval cooperation were discussed,” the Pakistan Navy said.
The MoU was signed by both sides at a ceremony at the Naval Headquarters, the navy’s media wing confirmed.
“The MoU is aimed at establishing of guidelines and procedures for information sharing in order to enhance mutual awareness of white shipping,” the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
White shipping agreement refers to the exchange of prior information on the movement and identity of commercial non-military merchant vessels.
Information regarding the identity of vessels helps countries tackle potential threats from sea routes. This particularly helps in the development of a proper regional maritime domain awareness
The statement said Al Rahbi lauded Pakistan Navy’s professionalism and acknowledged its ongoing contributions to maritime security and regional stability.
Pakistan and Oman share geographical proximity and common maritime boundaries. Bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries span a wide range of areas, including economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and strong defense ties.
In December, a Royal Navy flotilla from Oman visited Karachi to take part in the annual bilateral Thamar Al Tayyib (TAT) 2025 exercise.
Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the TAT series of exercises regularly since 1980.
