Gulf News (17th June 2004)
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
At least three Pakistanis have died while trying to enter the UAE illegally, while hundreds of others have been arrested over the last few months, according to sources.
The three deaths were reported in Ras Al Khaimah. While two of them died of starvation trying to cross the emirate's mountains, at least one reportedly died of gunshot wounds.
At least 12 more people from Pakistan and Iran were arrested during the same raids, while trying to enter by sea near the Ras Al Khaimah coastline.
According to Dr Gul Karim Khan, President of the Pakistan Centre in Ras Al Khaimah, the body of Mohammed Safeer, 25, who bled to death after he was shot, was sent home on Friday on Pakistan International Airline. The Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai issued an outpass for the body because no travel documents were found on the deceased.
Community sources said Safeer was conned by an agent in Pakistan who agreed to help him enter the UAE for Dh10,000, but who vanished after hearing of Safeer's death.
The body of Khalid Hayat, 20, from Mandi Bahauddin, was found in the mountains. "It was decomposed and had been pecked at by birds and some other animals and we found it very difficult to identify the person. However, a document recovered from his clothes proved he was Pakistani," Khan said.
Hayat's body is being flown to Islamabad today on PIA after the Consulate General issued a travel document certifying his nationality.
"Since his relatives could not be traced, we are sending one of our members to accompany the body, which will be received by representatives of the Overseas Pakistan Foundation in Islamabad who will make arrangements for the burial."
Another decomposed body was found in the mountains a few weeks ago. The 35-year-old man identified as Afzal Hussain from Parachanar in Pakistan died of starvation while trying to enter the country illegally. His body has already been sent to Pakistan.
"We have informed our government about the incidents with requests to take immediate action against people involved in human trafficking," Amanullah Larik, Consul General, told Gulf News.
He said these agents lured innocent people from rural areas and smuggled them into other countries after making them pay exorbitant fees.
He warned all Pakistanis not to enter the UAE illegally. "There is no place for illegal immigrants in this country," he said, asking those already in the country to go back and return via legal means. Larik said the consulate issues outpasses to those staying here illegally and those who do not have travel documents.
"We issue two kind of outpasses. Some cases are referred to us by the prison authorities for those already in detention while some others come directly to the consulate."
He suggests that those staying here illegally turn themselves in at either the consulate or to the local police to avoid facing tougher penalties if they are caught.
Ansar Burney, a prominent human rights activist and chairman of the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust, flew to the UAE to investigate the incidents and help in the repatriation of dead bodies.
"I am going to take up the matter with the authorities in Pakistan. I have also got details about agents involved in human trafficking in Pakistan and will try my best to find out more about the gang." He criticised the Pakistani authorities for their failure to stop the movement of its citizens across the border, especially by sea.
Despite the fact that thousands of illegal Pakistani immigrants were repatriated during the general amnesty announced last year by the UAE government, the numbers here are still quite high.
RISKY VENTURE
Dangerous trek across the mountains
• All three who died were Pakistani expats and the deaths were reported in Ras Al Khaimah.
• At least two of them died of starvation while trying to cross the mountains in the emirate, and a third one reportedly died of gunshot wounds.
• Pakistani consulate officials say unscrupulous agents lured innocent people from rural areas and smuggled them into other countries after making them pay exorbitant fees.
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