Karachi : A Pakistani MP and former National Assembly speaker, Asad Qaiser, has alleged that several Pakistani travellers, including himself, were treated unfairly at a hotel in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a flight cancellation. Qaiser sought diplomatic intervention and urged the government to take up the matter with the UAE authorities. The MP claimed that the incident occurred despite Pakistan having “played a positive role in the US-Iran conflict”.
He claimed an announcement was made that only Indian and US passport holders would be accommodated, while Pakistani passengers were treated differently. “I was travelling myself, and the behaviour shown there was extremely inappropriate. Our flight was cancelled. We wanted to stay in a hotel, but their attitude towards us Pakistanis was not good. An announcement was being made that only passport holders from India and America would be accommodated,” the PTI leader said.
Qaiser added that a delegation had also approached him with complaints about similar treatment. He said the Pakistani people continued to respect and have affection for the UAE government and stressed that such incidents should not be allowed to affect relations between the two countries. Describing the UAE as a “brother Islamic nation”, the PTI leader said he protested against what he termed an unfair treatment to Pakistanis.
“I believe we have diplomatic channels; they should raise this matter”, he said. Referring to the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, the legislator said Pakistan had played a “very positive” role in the war. He claimed a delegation visited him and raised the matter concerning the treatment of Pakistani travellers in the UAE.“I demand the Foreign Office and the Foreign Minister that they discuss this matter with the UAE authorities”, Qaiser said.
