Pakistan gave initial approval on Monday for signing a framework agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to hand over two more Karachi port terminals, including the development of a new multipurpose cargo terminal. This will be the second major seaport terminal deal that Pakistan will sign with the UAE in less than two months.
The de facto leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly declines calls from the White House. The calls from President Biden and the U.S. were based on the agenda to build international support for Ukraine and contain a surge in oil prices. Saudi and Emirati officials have also become more vocal in their criticism of American policy in Gulf.
In a major step, considered first of its kind in the region, UAE cabinet has adopted a new remote work visa to enable employees from all over the world to live and work in the UAE for one year and approved a multiple-entry tourist visa for all nationalities. The new resolutions aim to position the UAE as an ideal work and tourist destination.
In a historic move, UAE on Saturday announced major changes to its citizenship law, allowing for the naturalisation of foreign investors, doctors, scientists, artists and talented people and their families. The change in the citizenship law aims to ensure the social stability of the people in the country and boost the overall national development process.
A UAE official has announced that the UAE will begin to end all measures taken against the State of Qatar, following the signing of the AlUla Declaration in Saudi Arabia recently. The UAE will work to re-open all land, sea and air ports for inbound and outbound movement, and that all relevant authorities in the UAE have been notified of these measures which will go into effect as of 9 January, 2021.
United Arab Emirates-based Pakistani doctor, who contracted the coronavirus while treating blue collar workers at a small clinic in Abu Dhabi and died of COVID-19 on May 15, was recognized as a martyr and national hero by the Gulf state. Dr. Usman, who belonged to Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, worked for a private health care group for 11 years but lost his job in 2019.
Recruitment agencies fear Pakistani nationals will lose job opportunities to Indians after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suspended issuance of work or employment visas to 13 Muslim-majority countries including Pakistan. In fact, since the ban came into effect on 18 of November, one recruitment agency alone in Rawalpindi has lost 3,000 jobs which have now been diverted to India by its client.
Diplomatic breakthroughs between Israel and Gulf monarchies have left the Palestinians feeling betrayed and anxious about the future. Palestinians believe peace deals will encourage Israel to continue occupation with confidence an full force. US President Donald Trump has hinted that several more Arab states would soon announce their intention to sign similar deals, suggesting a more substantive shift.
An Israeli-American delegation will fly on the first commercial flight from Israel to the United Arab Emirates on Monday after a landmark deal between the countries. Jared Kushner, top aide and son-in-law to US President Donald Trump, has confirmed he will be on the flight, alongside National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. Israel’s national Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat will be leading the “professional delegation”.
Reports about a side agreement of sale of F-35 and advanced drones between United States and United Arab Emirates has come as a shock to Israel, which claims to have been kept in the dark. The sale, which could reduce Israel’s military advantage in Middle East, was a condition of the emerging normalization agreement between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi that was brokered by Washington.