Everyone is aware of the critical point of economic instability that Pakistan is going through. We know that in spite of frantic efforts to increase the sources of foreign exchange in this trying period, the results are not promising. In this background, shortages due to any bottlenecks in existing sources require urgent attention. The purpose of this article is to highlight and draw the attention of the authorities to one such important problem faced by the individuals and shipping companies associated with the Pakistan Merchant Navy. It should be noted that the merchant navy is the main sector in which problems related to the employment of the people associated with it directly lead to a decrease in the exchange rate.

The recent issue is related to obtaining visas for Pakistani merchant navy personnel. The rate of visa rejection of Pakistani officials by the UAE has increased alarmingly over the last one month. According to statistics, more than 80 per cent of Pakistani merchant navy personnel travel to their ships through the UAE to perform professional services for which they require an Emirates visa. Therefore, the direct result of such a large number of visa rejections is the transfer of all these posts to other countries. In view of the importance of the matter, I contacted Mr. Latif Siddiqui, the owner of the leading shipping company Global Radiance, to know the details of the problem and possible solutions.

For the unfamiliar readers, let me tell you that Global Reliance Maritime Group has been doing everything possible for the betterment of Pakistan Maritime Industry for 10 years. Their prominent services include providing employment opportunities for Pakistanis related to the maritime profession, scholarships and awards for cadets, organising and supporting various important international activities, investment in the shipping sector and the development of this industry and its related people. Every effort is made to resolve the issues. In recognition of the same services, Latif Siddiqui was also nominated for Hilal Imtiaz and he has been posted as the Honorary Investment Counselor of Pakistan in Singapore for the last three years.

Talking about the recent issue, he said that the rejection of Emirates visas of Pakistani merchant navy personnel is equivalent to a big economic blow to Pakistan. Due to not getting a visa, these people cannot go for their jobs on the ships of different companies around the world. As a result, all these posts are being transferred to people of other citizenships, which is not less than a tragedy for these people, but because of this, the foreign exchange coming in the salaries of all these people will not be able to come to Pakistan. He said that even a small country like the Philippines earns more than six billion dollars of foreign exchange annually in this regard, while Pakistan is losing the current opportunities instead of trying to increase this valuable resource. The recent problem with the visa, which is actually just a ninety-six-hour transit permit, has created an economic crisis.

He further informed that apart from this new problem of Emirates visas, Pakistani Merchant Navy personnel also face serious difficulties for visas of other countries. These problems hinder the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars to Pakistan annually, but so far not enough attention has been paid to these problems. The current economic conditions of Pakistan do not allow these important sources of foreign exchange to be seen as problems that can be solved at the diplomatic level. Latif Siddiqui also clarified that visa related issues are a clear example of discrimination against Pakistan. He said that seamen from other countries can provide their professional services by going to their ship from any country on 'OK to board' permit, while it becomes almost impossible for Pakistanis to get jobs in the same positions. For Pakistani sailors, getting Schengen, American and Austrian visas is like a gamble, while Pakistani merchant navy employees have to wait a week for visas from tourist countries like Singapore.

In view of these problems, shipping companies around the world avoid employing Pakistanis. It is important to mention here that Latif Siddiqui's Global Reliance Shipping Company is the only company that provides ninety-five percent shipping jobs to Pakistanis despite these other conditions, although they often pay a heavy price to fulfill this commitment. It has to be done. In the current economic situation, this is certainly a great national service and an example worthy of emulation.

In this background, Mr. Latif Siddiqui has appealed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the relevant national institutions and ministries on behalf of the entire maritime community to pay immediate attention to this important national problem. Otherwise, Pakistan will permanently lose hundreds of foreign exchange earning jobs, which will not only result in the loss of employment to hundreds of people associated with the maritime industry, but Pakistan will also lose millions of dollars in foreign exchange annually.