'Kuwait lifts visa restrictions on Pakistanis after six years' [update#44]

[shaykh]

If you were wondering what the Gulf countries were saying about Trumps ban then here you have it ...

Kuwait as it happens has banned Syrians since 2011 citing security concerns ...now it has extended the number to 5 countries ...citizens from Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have also been banned now due to the 'instability' in these countries ...In Pakistans case it seems that they have also been banned in some way since 2011 also?...

Considering the exodus of 200,000 Palestinians from Kuwait after the Gulf War actions like this don't really come as a surprise ...

In Pakistans case maybe they need to let the Kuwaitis kill Houbaras again...

Also in the U.A.E Dubais head of security has praised Trump ...
'Unproductive groups don't deserve to be in America...Iranians, Iraqis or Somalis ...

He adds that Iranians, Yemenis and Iraqis aren't Arabs (by virtue of being Shia)...

This isn't the official state view but considering the senior position this man holds its probably not far off...

Saudis sole response contrary to what was originally thought regarding refugees has been allowing Syrians already in Saudi prior to the war residency ...and the usual means of employing someone for a job ...not a single Syrian has been admitted as an actual refugee...

The response as per usual from the GCC states is appalling ...not only have they been instrumental in creating these refugees in the first place but they shun responsibility and demonise the victims ...and their media cough Al Jazeera will post negatively about the non Muslim worlds response to refugees ...

Citizens from five Muslim-majority countries will no longer be able to obtain Kuwaiti visas, after reports the Gulf state issued tight entry restrictions that mirrored US President Donald Trump's Muslim ban.

Syrians, Iraqis, Iranians, Pakistanis and Afghans will not be able to obtain visit, tourism or trade Kuwaiti visas with the news coming one day after the US slapped its own restrictions on seven Muslim-majority countries.

Passport holders from the countries will no lot be allowed to enter the Gulf state while the blanket ban is in place and have been told not to apply to visas.

Kuwaiti sources told local media that the restrictions were in place due to the "instability" in the five countries and that the ban would be lifted once the security situation improves.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have all witnessed violence from extremist groups, while Syria and Iraq are embroiled in internal conflicts.

Although mainly peaceful, tensions between Iran and the Gulf have ratched up over the past year with the GCC powers accusing Tehran of attempting to destabalise the region.

Kuwait is concerned about the threat of extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group with both militant organisations have a presence in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Gulf state has witnessed a number of militant attacks over the past two years, including the bombing of a Shia mosque in 2015 which left 27 Kuwaits dead.

Kuwait responded by arresting dozens of suspected IS sympathisers and rolling out mandatary DNA testing programme and database for the Gulf state's 4 million population.

Kuwait reportedly issued a ban on all visas for Syrians in 2011, but allowed those inside the country to remain.

It made Kuwait the only country in the world to officially bar entry to Syrians, until the US named Syria in seven countries banned from entering.

Kuwait has issued a number of laws targeting foreigners in recent years, and made it one of the most unfriendly Gulf states towards expatriates.

In 2015, Kuwait was named as the worst place in the world for expatriates in a 64 country InterNations survey.

Meanwhile, Trump's Muslim ban has been met with widespread outrage since it was signed on Friday, although Gulf states have remained quiet on the issue.

Dubai security chief Dhahi Khalfan outraged Syrians and other nationalities included in the ban when he publically backed Trump's decision.

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/n...-visa-bans-for-five-muslim-majority-countries

 

[Black Zero]

Question: Was immigration to Kuwait for Pakistanis ever permitted?

 

[shaykh]

There are apparently a 150,000 Pakistanis there ...

It appears there has been a ban on entry now which doesn't appear to have been the case before ...

 

[Black Zero]

There are apparently a 150,000 Pakistanis there ...

It appears there has been a ban on entry now which doesn't appear to have been the case before ...

That was not exactly my question.
My query was specific about Pakistani immigrants in Kuwait.
If you do not know, then it's fine.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

What are relations like between Pakistan and Kuwait in general? I never really hear much about Kuwait, last time they were much news over here was when Saddam invaded and the western allies fought the first Gulf war on behalf of Kuwait.

 

[Varun]

What are relations like between Pakistan and Kuwait in general? I never really hear much about Kuwait, last time they were much news over here was when Saddam invaded and the western allies fought the first Gulf war on behalf of Kuwait.

Pretty indifferent relations, one can say. Not as many Pakistanis in Kuwait as some other Gulf countries.

 

[MenInG]

This is old news. The problem is between Pakistan and Kuwait - nothing to do with Trump.

"Syrians, Iraqis, Iranians, Pakistanis and Afghans have not been able to obtain visit, tourism or trade visas to Kuwait since 2011"

Iraqis and Iranians - we know the issue already

Syrians - Kuwait (Saudi/Bahrain/UAE etc) put in a lot of charity money in camps all over the world.

Not sure how that compares with US

 

[Eagle_Eye]

This is old news. The problem is between Pakistan and Kuwait - nothing to do with Trump.

"Syrians, Iraqis, Iranians, Pakistanis and Afghans have not been able to obtain visit, tourism or trade visas to Kuwait since 2011"

Iraqis and Iranians - we know the issue already

Syrians - Kuwait (Saudi/Bahrain/UAE etc) put in a lot of charity money in camps all over the world.

Not sure how that compares with US

Let's just ignore the discrimination from the Arabs shall we.... Well let's not!

Pakistan should tell the Kuwaiti ambassador to hop it from Islamabad, what's the point of him being there? In fact why would any self respecting country have diplomatic relations with another that totally bars your citizens.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Pretty indifferent relations, one can say. Not as many Pakistanis in Kuwait as some other Gulf countries.

I asked because the OP suggested "In Pakistans case maybe they need to let the Kuwaitis kill Houbaras again...
"

Assuming the above statement is true, Pakistan seems to have quite a relaxed attitude about the visa situation. Not really sure what this has to do with Trump either if this is old news.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Let's just ignore the discrimination from the Arabs shall we.... Well let's not!

Pakistan should tell the Kuwaiti ambassador to hop it from Islamabad, what's the point of him being there? In fact why would any self respecting country have diplomatic relations with another that totally bars your citizens.

Maybe Pakistan govt is in agreement with Kuwait that Pakistani citizens pose a risk to Kuwait's security.

 

[shaykh]

Quite a blase attitude that ...I mentioned in the OP that the situation regarding Pakistan has existed since 2011...on what basis so you think its ok to do that ?...

You mention the Iraqis and Iranians ...so Europe and the US should be criticised for showing reservations but the Gulf shouldn't?...

Also the Gulf combined have given $2.3billion in aid ...the US has given over $5billion in aid so dont know why you're using aid as a defence either ...

Call a spade a spade ...the US is being criticised and rightly so ...why is it that the Gulf are free of such criticism?...

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Maybe Pakistan govt is in agreement with Kuwait that Pakistani citizens pose a risk to Kuwait's security.

Based on what?

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Quite a blase attitude that ...I mentioned in the OP that the situation regarding Pakistan has existed since 2011...on what basis so you think its ok to do that ?...

You mention the Iraqis and Iranians ...so Europe and the US should be criticised for showing reservations but the Gulf shouldn't?...

Also the Gulf combined have given $2.3billion in aid ...the US has given over $5billion in aid so dont know why you're using aid as a defence either ...

Call a spade a spade ...the US is being criticised and rightly so ...why is it that the Gulf are free of such criticism?...

Agree.... why is gulf getting a free pass.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Based on what?

No idea. But like I've always said about complaints from South Asians about treatment in the Gulf countries, it's up to their govts to look after their citizen's interests abroad. That's what they should be doing, no point in criticising posters online for not comparing it with Trump.

 

[MenInG]

Let's just ignore the discrimination from the Arabs shall we.... Well let's not!

Pakistan should tell the Kuwaiti ambassador to hop it from Islamabad, what's the point of him being there? In fact why would any self respecting country have diplomatic relations with another that totally bars your citizens.

Why do you think the Pakistan ambassador has not done that?

 

[Yossarian]

[MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION]
So we are now comparing the policies of the most powerful nation on earth, one that claims to be the world's policeman and one that invades other countries with claims of trying to 'spread democracy', with those of a country run by a tyrannical family dictatorship? What next? Justify torture (which Trump may allow the CIA to resume using because he agrees with it), on the basis that Robert Mugabe's regime also tortures people?

 

[shaykh]

[MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION]
So we are now comparing the policies of the most powerful nation on earth, one that claims to be the world's policeman and one that invades other countries with claims of trying to 'spread democracy', with those of a country run by a tyrannical family dictatorship? What next? Justify torture (which Trump may allow the CIA to resume using because he agrees with it), on the basis that Robert Mugabe's regime also tortures people?

I'm still waiting for that day that Al Jazeera actually account the Gulf nations...you're strawmanning because the US isn't the only country up for discussion here...Hungary is even better than the Gulf nations and that's not a compliment...

As for your Mugabe example...torture is torture...Mugabe does get criticised for it as he should...so should Trump if he adopts it...the US is being criticised for banning Syrians...so should the Gulf nations...

If anything I find it odd that the Gulf are held to a lower standard than Hungarians or Bulgarians...I mean we often hear about the inhumanity of these countries...Al Jazeera has also had plenty to say about Greece...yet we expect more from Greece than we do from any of the Gulf nations?...nations that have worse economies, spacial issues and are from different cultures than we do from rich, spacious Muslim countries...

If anything everyone is judged by a higher standard than the Gulf nations...

 

[The_KING]

Nothing wrong with banning immigration imo.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I think it's really foolish to compare anything to Trump's ban. America has bombed 6 out of the 7 countries on the recent ban list, creating the conditions for the people to become refugees in the first place, not to mention blatant Islamaphobia. Poor thread tbh.

 

[shaykh]

I think it's really foolish to compare anything to Trump's ban. America has bombed 6 out of the 7 countries on the recent ban list, creating the conditions for the people to become refugees in the first place, not to mention blatant Islamaphobia. Poor thread tbh.

Lol thats an odd post...

You must have missed the part where IS were armed and funded by Saudi, Qatar and Kuwait...so while you blame the US can you acknowledge that the Gulf have also contributed to creating the refugee problem in the first place...we can also level blame at Iran and Russia as well so as not be partisan...

Let me guess...Yemen is only the US's fault too...

Its all and well pointing to Islamaphobia...but its actually politics...7 countries have been banned...and 'allied' Muslim states are not banned...unless you also feel Kuwait are Islamaphobic for listing the exact same reasons for not allowing refugees in...

You can call it xenophobia though...and that would be fair...but then one has to ask then about xenophobia and lack of action in the Gulf...why is it disgraceful for the US to cite terror concerns...but ok for the Gulf states?...

The US for all your criticism of them...have done more for Syrians than the Gulf states have...they have destroyed their country like the Gulf states have...but they under Obama at least were actually taking refugees, and had put in more than $5billion in terms of aid...I feel its worth asking why the Gulf states mentioned havent taken on one single refugee...yet their media are busy insulting Europe for not doing enough...its galling really...

 

[KingKhanWC]

Lol thats an odd post...

You must have missed the part where IS were armed and funded by Saudi, Qatar and Kuwait...so while you blame the US can you acknowledge that the Gulf have also contributed to creating the refugee problem in the first place...we can also level blame at Iran and Russia as well so as not be partisan...

Let me guess...Yemen is only the US's fault too...

Its all and well pointing to Islamaphobia...but its actually politics...7 countries have been banned...and 'allied' Muslim states are not banned...unless you also feel Kuwait are Islamaphobic for listing the exact same reasons for not allowing refugees in...

You can call it xenophobia though...and that would be fair...but then one has to ask then about xenophobia and lack of action in the Gulf...why is it disgraceful for the US to cite terror concerns...but ok for the Gulf states?...

The US for all your criticism of them...have done more for Syrians than the Gulf states have...they have destroyed their country like the Gulf states have...but they under Obama at least were actually taking refugees, and had put in more than $5billion in terms of aid...I feel its worth asking why the Gulf states mentioned havent taken on one single refugee...yet their media are busy insulting Europe for not doing enough...its galling really...

lol Kuwait armed ISIS.

It's obvious the Gulf nations are also involved in creating the mess in places like Iraq, Syria and Yemen but who are these Gulf nations. Saudi family was installed by the British and to this day are supported and protected by the US. These are just puppet states of western nations, it's just laughable to suggest they should share the responislbity with their masters.

Again Kuwait banning Pakistani's has no similarity to the US banning people from the countries listed. The Gulf nations have always been tighter with their immigration leading to possible citizenship, the US is not the same.

 

[shaykh]

lol Kuwait armed ISIS.

It's obvious the Gulf nations are also involved in creating the mess in places like Iraq, Syria and Yemen but who are these Gulf nations. Saudi family was installed by the British and to this day are supported and protected by the US. These are just puppet states of western nations, it's just laughable to suggest they should share the responislbity with their masters.

Again Kuwait banning Pakistani's has no similarity to the US banning people from the countries listed. The Gulf nations have always been tighter with their immigration leading to possible citizenship, the US is not the same.

You're being obtuse...now for you I shall reword...Saudi has armed ISIS, Kuwait have funded ISIS...

And you aren't addressing the topic either...I havent discussed immigration...there is a blanket ban on entering the country...and if you are going to make excuses for Kuwait then why can't Europe be afforded the same defence...you can focus solely on Trump but actually there are many countries having to deal with this issue...

So your assertion is everything Saudi does is controlled by the US?...really now...but i see why you prefer that argument...

 

[sjahmed23]

Wasn't khalid shaik mohammad (mastermind of 9/11) a kuwaiti caught in pakistan? How ironic!

I heard about this years ago though, had some family members who were trying to get jobs there but couldn't because of this ban

 

[KingKhanWC]

You're being obtuse...now for you I shall reword...Saudi has armed ISIS, Kuwait have funded ISIS...

And you aren't addressing the topic either...I havent discussed immigration...there is a blanket ban on entering the country...and if you are going to make excuses for Kuwait then why can't Europe be afforded the same defence...you can focus solely on Trump but actually there are many countries having to deal with this issue...

So your assertion is everything Saudi does is controlled by the US?...really now...but i see why you prefer that argument...

It's a joint initiative led by the US. The puppet Gulf nations play a less important role, they have raised foot soldiers, helped arms to reach them and provided other logistics. They cannot do any of these without the blessing of the US and they have no need to if the US doesn't instruct them to do so. It's not an argument I prefer, its how it is. You're welcome to disagree and believe the Gulf nations have independent polices.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Why do you think the Pakistan ambassador has not done that?

I don't understand your point? The Pakistani ambassador has done what? What's it got to do with him? Ok let me make it clear .....

In light of Kuwait banning Pakistanis from their country:

Why does Kuwait have an embassy in Islamabad and a consulate in Karachi.... what is the purpose of these.

Why doesn't Pakistan reciprocate this ban and tell the Kuwaitis there is no point in having embassies in respective countries. But then that's what a self respecting country would do....

 

[Eagle_Eye]

It's a joint initiative led by the US. The puppet Gulf nations play a less important role, they have raised foot soldiers, helped arms to reach them and provided other logistics. They cannot do any of these without the blessing of the US and they have no need to if the US doesn't instruct them to do so. It's not an argument I prefer, its how it is. You're welcome to disagree and believe the Gulf nations have independent polices.

You are missing the point.... there is no doubt that these states are propped up by US. The point is that there is no outrage in the outrageous ban imposed by Kuwait as its worse because it's been going on for over 5 years.

I am just shocked at the lack of outrage shown here.

 

[KingKhanWC]

You are missing the point.... there is no doubt that these states are propped up by US. The point is that there is no outrage in the outrageous ban imposed by Kuwait as its worse because it's been going on for over 5 years.

I am just shocked at the lack of outrage shown here.

I agree there should be outrage and suspension of diplomatic ties by Pakistan when any nation bans their citizens from travelling but as you know the corrupt governments do not think about the welfare of the people but to keep close ties with those who can help protect them while in power.

 

[shaykh]

You are missing the point.... there is no doubt that these states are propped up by US. The point is that there is no outrage in the outrageous ban imposed by Kuwait as its worse because it's been going on for over 5 years.

I am just shocked at the lack of outrage shown here.

There is no outrage because for some there is the default argument that everything these countries do can be blamed on the US...

It therefore renders the Gulf immune from blame because essentially they are viewed as solely an extension of US interests without the ability or freedom to make any independent decisions...

Kuwait expelling all their Palestinian population after the Gulf War was the US's fault too...as is this ban of Pakistanis...

 

[Yossarian]

I'm still waiting for that day that Al Jazeera actually account the Gulf nations...you're strawmanning because the US isn't the only country up for discussion here...Hungary is even better than the Gulf nations and that's not a compliment...

As for your Mugabe example...torture is torture...Mugabe does get criticised for it as he should...so should Trump if he adopts it...the US is being criticised for banning Syrians...so should the Gulf nations...

If anything I find it odd that the Gulf are held to a lower standard than Hungarians or Bulgarians...I mean we often hear about the inhumanity of these countries...Al Jazeera has also had plenty to say about Greece...yet we expect more from Greece than we do from any of the Gulf nations?...nations that have worse economies, spacial issues and are from different cultures than we do from rich, spacious Muslim countries...

If anything everyone is judged by a higher standard than the Gulf nations...

I'm still wondering as to the point of this thread. Yes, because it's fairly common knowledge, these Gulf family run dictatorships discriminate against others in a variety of different way. Yes, they violate human rights left, right and centre. So other than:

I'm still waiting for that day that Al Jazeera actually account the Gulf nations.....

... what exactly is the point you're trying to make? Is to defend and justify Trumps views, policies and actions? Is to criticise those that disagree with Trump and are protesting against his ban on Muslims?

But if it's simply "waiting for Al Jazeera", a news organisation which, like all such media organisations, picks and chooses the news items according to the views/policies that are in the best interests of its owners and shareholders, then are you "waiting" because Al Jazeera is your primary source of news and you value their output so highly that you are disappointed they have not published articles on the topics you mention?

I, for example, don't read the Sun, or watch Al Jazeera. Because I am aware of their editorial stance on most topics. And that's why I don't "wait" for them. So I suggest, rather than "waiting for Al Jazeera" go find another outlet that does report on news items that are of interest to you. Will save you a lot of waiting.

 

[shaykh]

I'm still wondering as to the point of this thread. Yes, because it's fairly common knowledge, these Gulf family run dictatorships discriminate against others in a variety of different way. Yes, they violate human rights left, right and centre. So other than:


... what exactly is the point you're trying to make? Is to defend and justify Trumps views, policies and actions? Is to criticise those that disagree with Trump and are protesting against his ban on Muslims?

But if it's simply "waiting for Al Jazeera", a news organisation which, like all such media organisations, picks and chooses the news items according to the views/policies that are in the best interests of its owners and shareholders, then are you "waiting" because Al Jazeera is your primary source of news and you value their output so highly that you are disappointed they have not published articles on the topics you mention?

I, for example, don't read the Sun, or watch Al Jazeera. Because I am aware of their editorial stance on most topics. And that's why I don't "wait" for them. So I suggest, rather than "waiting for Al Jazeera" go find another outlet that does report on news items that are of interest to you. Will save you a lot of waiting.

Well the point of the thread was to show that there is a double standard when looking at bans...and how non-Muslims are actually held to a higher standard than Muslims are...it's odd...

I am most certainly not defending Trump...and feel that Britain could also be doing more...I also feel it should be obvious that the richest Muslim nations should be doing more...

A lot of the Arab media attacks Europe for not dealing with the refugee problem well...feel its perfectly fair to show how the Gulf just doesn't deal with it at all...

Europe has reservations over refugees but actually takes some= bigots, xenophobes, islamophobes
Gulf does nothing = silence, or their position off restricting visas is defended even...

 

[Yossarian]

Well the point of the thread was to show that there is a double standard when looking at bans...and how non-Muslims are actually held to a higher standard than Muslims are...it's odd...

By whom?

 

[Yossarian]

Europe has reservations over refugees but actually takes some= bigots, xenophobes, islamophobes
Gulf does nothing = silence, or their position off restricting visas is defended even...

In the days when I worked in Saudi (amongst other Middle East countries), the Saudis had three categories of ID cards, Saudi Citizens, non-Saudi Muslims and non-Muslims.

Most of the large companies having their own employee housing compounds (both Saudi and non-Saudi companies, such as Saudia (airline), Boeing, BAe etc.) had (still have?) separate compounds based upon religion and/or 'ethnicity' (Western, Asian etc).

Whilst leasure facilities, like swimming pools, were segregated for men and women in Muslim compounds (and were nearly always indoors), there was no such segregation in the non-Muslim compounds. Despite being a Muslim, but a UK national, my company 'allowed' me to live with my friends and colleagues in the company's Western compound.

However, on a number of occasions, when invited for dinner or parties by Western friends and colleagues from other Western companies, my flatmates and other friends were allowed into the leasure complexes, but the company employed guards prevented me from joining my friends due to my Muslim ID card. On one occasion, on the protestations of my friends, the guard was willing to let me in and join my friends, but a compound official (a Westerner) ordered the guard to not to so. Said it was company policy (a major household name British-American conglomerate).

Discrimination in Muslim countries is not always in favour of Muslims.

 

[shaykh]

In terms of 'by whom'...havent you taken that position by stating that we shouldnt compare the US to the Gulf states ...

I personally see no issue with criticising both ...

I actually find it odd that Muslim countries aren't held to a higher standard than non Muslim countries ...if Saudi blocks Syrian refugees surely this is worse than say non Muslim countries doing it ...both are bad but I'd think that more would be expected of Muslim nations ...

Isn't it off that you have non Muslim religious leaders speaking about refugees and Muslim scholars are largely silent on the issue?...

In terms of your Saudi experience I dint doubt that Muslims may have it 'worse' than non Muslims ...why I'm being attacked for pointing out that discrimination exists I don't know ...

If I was praising Trump and cussing Muslim leaders then I'd understand ...

 

[Mp812]

Kuwait has suspended the issuance of visas for nationals of Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. After US President Donald Trump’s executive order banning seven Muslim-majority countries last Friday, the Kuwaiti government has told would-be migrants from the five banned nations to not apply for visas, as it is worried about the possible migration of radical Islamic terrorists, Sputnik International reported.

 

[dhump]

Seems like Arab loving brigade of PP is on full on action in this thread.

It is nothing but sad that a Muslim country banned visa for Pakistan, but anyways that is how much Arab respects fellow muslims from other countries.

 

[Saeed]

What else can one expect from overconfident middle eastern dictators? They are nothing without their foreign masters. Arabs know how to deal with them. The reason provided by Kuwait is non sense. If instability is the reason for ban then why is Libya not on the list? Egypt has ISIS too and it should be on the list too.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Seems like Arab loving brigade of PP is on full on action in this thread.

It is nothing but sad that a Muslim country banned visa for Pakistan, but anyways that is how much Arab respects fellow muslims from other countries.

I think this is the purpose of this thread, to criticise other posters rather than the Pakistani govt itself for tugging a forelock to the Arabs. But I have always remained consistent on this, we've had several threads criticising Arab treatment of Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, and I always say there's no answer to this but for the respective countries to look after the interests of their citizens abroad. That is what I would expect of my govt in the UK, and that would be the case even if I was in a Kuwait jail for smuggling drugs.

But PP is usually more about fighting battles with other posters over ideology than questioning why govts don't deliver on constitutional rights (assuming there are any in this case).

 

[troodon]

Is it just immigration ban or even low end workers from Pakistan banned too?

Either way time for Pak to wake up and get out of their pan Islamic brotherhood feeling.

Love cannot be one way traffic.

 

[JaDed]

What is its significance anyway except oil as usual,my father was there for 2-3 years he says it was very good and what not i doubt it probably after gulf war it was okish,from what I have been reading its been hell for last 10 years for south Asians, good for Pakistani citizens in this way they don't get exploited by Arabs.

 

[Tekcirc]

Some conflicting news regarding this in media. But if true, I can only imagine how Trump and his Neo-Nazis would be using this as an example on Fox News.

 

[shaykh]

Emirati Foreign Minister has expressed support for Trumps ban...after all these countries have 'structural problems'...

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/...reign-minister-defends-trumps-travel-ban.html

The UAE is actually the first GCC country that has agreed to take on Syrian refugees...they plan to take on a whopping 15,000 Syrians over the next 5 years...will wait to see what happens...

http://whatson.ae/dubai/2016/09/uae-syrian-refugees/

 

[Muhammad10]

Pakistanis are welcome in Kuwait, says ambassador

Kuwait is worried about the possible migration of terrorists.

Pakistan's ambassador in Kuwait clarified that Kuwait hasn't placed any visa ban on Pakistani nationals.A Geo TV report quoted Ghulam Dastagir as saying that news on social media about the ban was baseless.He added that same news had sprung up in 2011.Earlier, a newspaper claimed that Kuwait has banned nationals from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It claimed that the ban included on tourism, visit and trade visas as well as visas sponsored by spouses.Sputnik International in a report had said that Kuwait suspended the issuance of visas for nationals of Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.It said the Kuwaiti government told would-be migrants from the five banned nations to not apply for visas, as it is worried about the possible migration of radical Islamic terrorists.Kuwait was the only nation to prohibit the entry of Syrian nationals prior to Trump's executive action. Kuwait City previously issued a suspension of visas for all Syrians in 2011.A group of militants bombed a Shia mosque in 2015, killing 27 Kuwaiti nationals. A 2016 survey conducted by Expat Insider ranked Kuwait one of the worst nations in the world for expatriates, primarily due to its strict cultural laws.As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Kuwait has become embroiled in escalated tensions between the GCC and Iran. Washington has been a guarantor of GCC security since the early 1990s, according to a Congressional Research Service brief.(With inputs from IANS)

http://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/middl...it-says-ambassador/ar-AAmwTQp?ocid=spartanntp

 

[Yossarian]

[MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION]

Did Kuwait Copy Trump’s Travel Ban? Not Quite

[.....]

The internet has long been home to countless sites of dubious credibility, and the Arab world is full of news sites bankrolled by private parties to promote their interests. Historically, their audiences have been limited.

But in this case, false information, based on a mistake from a little-known news source, was trumpeted to a vast audience by an American president who is prone to exaggeration and falsehoods, whose immigration policy is under fire, and whose administration has promoted the term “alternative facts.”

That exposure has shocked, and pleased, some who published the false information.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/08/...=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article

 

[Abdullah719]

'Kuwait lifts visa restrictions on Pakistanis after six years'

KUWAIT CITY: Authorities in Kuwait have decided to lift a six-year-old ban on visas for Pakistani citizens, the state-run APP news agency quoted a news channel as saying.

The decision reportedly came after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took up the matter of visa restrictions with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jaber al Mubarak al Hamad al Sabah on Tuesday.

The premier insisted that lifting the restrictions would remove a major hurdle for the ‘free movement of the business community’. He informed his Kuwaiti counterpart that Pakistan was an investment-friendly country and an attractive destination for foreign investors, due to its liberal investment policy and high rate of return.

“There are ample opportunities for investors, with 100 per cent equity on joint ventures in Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying by a press release issued by the PM office.

He further said that over 1,000 leading multinational companies were currently successfully operating in various sectors of the economy.

The prime minister said there were a number of energy and infrastructure development projects in Pakistan that could be considered by foreign investors.

“We would welcome further investments from Kuwait in mega infrastructure and energy projects being undertaken in Pakistan,” he emphasised.

More than 114,000 Pakistanis live in Kuwait which was evidence of the strong ties existing between the two countries, he said, adding that it also affirmed the immense importance Pakistan attached to relations with Kuwait.

He said that the Joint Ministerial Commission between the two countries provided the best platform to take stock of bilateral cooperation in various economic sectors and setting new benchmarks to carry this cooperation forward.

Referring to the level of bilateral trade between the two countries, he reiterated that this needed to be further enhanced to its fullest potential.

The prime minister proposed establishing a Pakistan-Kuwait Joint Business Council (JBC) between two apex chambers of commerce to address these issues.

He said there was great potential for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, construction, poultry, livestock and fisheries and to this end meetings of experts of the two countries be held to work out a plan of action.

Nawaz fondly recalled visit of the Kuwaiti prime minister to Pakistan in November 2013, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Nawaz also met with Speaker of Kuwait Parliament Marzouq Ali al Ghanim and stressed over the need to strengthen and develop fraternal ties between the two countries through close mutual parliamentary links.

The prime minister suggested that parliamentary relations between the two chambers deserved to be raised to an advanced phase of cooperation that would better reflect the excellent relations between the two sides.

He noted that Pakistan was ready to enhance contact and expand mutual visits to reflect the aspirations of the leaderships and peoples of the two countries.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1349039/kuwait-lifts-visa-restrictions-pakistanis/

 

[BouncerGuy]

Political turmoil in Kuwait as emir dissolves parliament

Kuwait’s emir has dissolved the parliament and taken over some of its duties, state media reported, weeks after the Gulf country held elections.

Emir Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah and the royal-appointed cabinet will assume some powers of the 50-member National Assembly, he said on Friday, in an address broadcast on state television.

He also suspended some unspecified articles of the constitution for “a period of no more than four years”, without elaborating.

“The unhealthy atmosphere experienced by Kuwait in previous years has encouraged the spread of corruption to reach most state facilities, and unfortunately it reached the security and economic institutions,” the 83-year-old ruler said, adding that “it has even affected the justice system”.

“We have faced difficulties and obstacles that cannot be tolerated,” he said.

The elections in April were the first to be held under Sheikh Mishal, who came to power last December after the death of his half-brother and predecessor, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.

Repeated disputes between the National Assembly and the cabinet have triggered dissolutions of parliament, curtailing investment and reforms aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on oil revenue.

Parliament was to meet for the first time on Monday, but several politicians had refused to participate in the government.

The emir said that the failure to form a government was the result of “the dictates and conditions of some” legislators.

“Kuwait has been through some hard times lately … which leaves no room for hesitation or delay in making the difficult decision to save the country and secure its highest interests,” Sheikh Mishal said.

ALJAZEERA