ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and the UAE will sign a formal “Pre-Immigration Clearance” pact allowing Pakistani passengers traveling to the Gulf country to avoid lengthy procedures at airports, the Pakistani interior ministry said on Monday. 

The ministry’s statement followed a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a UAE delegation led by its Director General Customs Ahmed Abdullah Bin Lahej Al Falasi. The two sides held detailed discussions on Pakistan-UAE ties, mutual cooperation and simplifying immigration processes for travelers, the interior ministry said. 

‎“During the meeting, both sides agreed that a formal pact on ‘Pre-Immigration Clearance’ between Pakistan and the UAE would be signed,” the statement said. “The system will initially be launched on a pilot basis, with Karachi selected as the first location.”

Naqvi said that as per the under the new system, immigration and relevant clearance of passengers traveling to the UAE will take place in Pakistan. After its implementation, passengers arriving in the UAE will not be required to undergo lengthy immigration procedures and will be able to exit the airport directly as “domestic passengers,” the ministry said. 

The minister said this initiative will make travel easier, save time and enhance the overall experience of passengers. 

“The UAE delegation termed the move beneficial for the people of both countries and expressed readiness for cooperation,” the statement said. 

The Pakistani interior ministry did not say when the pact would be signed. However, it said both sides decided that relevant authorities would continue coordination to finalize the administrative and technical framework of the pilot project. 

Upon successful implementation, the system would be gradually expanded to more destinations, it said. 

Pakistan has a similar arrangement with Saudi Arabia under the Kingdom’s Makkah Route Initiative. The scheme streamlines immigration processes by enabling Hajj pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. 

This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again.