Dubai: The Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, Hussain Mohammed, has renewed calls for a new Pakistan Consulate Dubai building, saying the existing facility can no longer serve the rapidly growing Pakistani community in the UAE.
With more than 1.8 million Pakistanis now living in the UAE, the consulate faces record-high visitor numbers, handling nearly 2,000 people daily, including up to 1,000 passport renewal Pakistan in Dubai applications.
“This consulate is the face of Pakistan.We are doing everything possible to serve the community, but the current facility no longer meets the needs,” Mohammed told Gulf News. He said Islamabad has received the proposal for a new building, strongly backed by the Pakistan Ambassador to UAE, but officials have yet to grant approval.
Overcrowded and Overwhelmed
The Consulate General of Pakistan Dubai manages thousands of requests for ID card renewals, attestations, and document collection every week. To ease pressure, the mission has expanded waiting areas and even opened sections on public holidays.
“These are temporary measures,” Mohammed said. “What we truly need is a purpose-built, modern consulate.”
Why No Satellite Offices?
Pakistani expatriates in Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah have long called for satellite consular offices. However, Mohammed explained that biometric data security protocols make it impossible to decentralise services.“We process everything centrally in Dubai,” he added.
Digital Reforms Help, But Not Enough
In recent years, the Pakistan Consulate Dubai has made progress with digital services, including online applications, courier deliveries, and faster passport processing. Urgent passports are now issued in 8–10 days, while regular ones take three weeks.
Despite these improvements, daily foot traffic remains overwhelming. “We encourage online applications, but the sheer size of our community makes physical visits unavoidable,” Mohammed said.
A Decade-Long Delay
The idea of a new consulate building first emerged in 2015, but repeated bureaucratic delays in Islamabad stalled progress. Community leaders and Pakistani expatriates have expressed frustration, arguing that the consulate is not just an office but a symbol of Pakistan’s presence and reputation abroad.
Now, with growing pressure from the community and renewed diplomatic efforts, hopes have resurfaced that Islamabad will finally give the green light.
FAQs
- Why does Pakistan need a new consulate building in Dubai?
Because the existing facility is too small to handle the daily 2,000+ visitors, leading to overcrowding and long waits. - How many Pakistanis live in the UAE?
According to consulate estimates, more than 1.8 million Pakistanis currently reside in the UAE. - Can Pakistanis in Northern Emirates access services elsewhere?
No, due to strict security protocols, all biometric data must be processed centrally in Dubai. - Who supports the new consulate building proposal?
Consul General Hussain Mohammed and the Pakistan Ambassador to UAE strongly back the proposal, but Islamabad has not yet given final approval. - How long does passport renewal Pakistan in Dubai take now?
Urgent passports are delivered in 8–10 days, while regular applications take about three weeks.
