Pak consulate helps repatriate 26 prisoners

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

The officials from the Pakistan Consulate General Dubai have facilitated repatriation of 26 prisoners to Pakistan, who had completed their jail sentences in Dubai’s Al Aweer Prison.

The Consulate General not only issued necessary travel documents but also arranged air tickets through the Welfare Fund and support from the community’s philanthropists and the jail authorities.

The Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai appreciated the support of community members and jail authorities who helped ease the suffering of these prisoners.

However, Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, told Gulf Today said that they had been engaged in a number of activities to facilitate the community in every way.

“Education is most important and without quality education we cannot compete with the world,” he said.

It is also mentioned that the community schools in the UAE are being operated by a board of governors and the Consul General Dubai is part of two schools in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.

The government of Pakistan has also recently provided funds to different community schools to improve their infrastructure.

Responding to a question regarding the current consulate building in Dubai and its revamping, he said that it would be replaced with a new complex with all the facilities for the visitors. It would be fully furnished with an air-conditioning hall, prayer room, a feeding room for mothers with young kids and other such facilities a consulate deserves.

“The process of seeking permission from different government bodies is in full process and hopefully soon the demolition of the old structure will start. We will shift to a temporary site and carry out our day-to-day operations for the community without any hassles,” he said.

The consulate started its official social media accounts, Twitter and Facebook, since March 23 and within a month scores of people started getting information firsthand. “We have dedicated two officers to respond to any query through social media accounts as this age is technology led and everyone has easy access through their handheld devices or computers. Earlier many individuals created fake accounts in the name of the consulate and they were not able to pass any information and answer any queries,” he said.