Dubai: Osama Tariq, 29, hopes to get clearance during this amnesty to fly back home to Karachi to be reunited with his family.
Standing in queues at the General Directorate of Foreign Residency office in Abu Dhabi, Tariq, an electrician came to UAE with very high hopes of employment. “I was only 22 when I landed in Abu Dhabi to work for the company of my uncle. My father is a heart patient and I am the eldest son. I have a younger sister and brother and I was keen to support my family. It was good in the beginning.”
Life was smooth as Tariq began sending money home and saving some funds as well. However, in 2014, his uncle’s company fell into bad times and he let the trade licence lapse. “My uncle delayed the renewal of his trade licence. By the time he paid fines and renewed, my visa had expired and the fines were mounting. I had no means to pay those fines and was quite helpless. I have been living without a visa since 2014.”
Tariq’s mother often cries over the phone and his siblings are looking forward to being reunited with him. “I was 22 years old when I entered the UAE, legally with a job visa and with great hopes of being able to support my family financially. For the last few years, I haven’t been able to send them a penny. My mother often cries saying you come back, everything will work out. I am hopeful of getting clearance as my passport is valid, my record is clean, but the authorities have asked me to come again after four days. I am really waiting for the day I can be back in Karachi,” said the young man, who hopes to return on a new job. “I have to earn money and provide for my family. Once I return, I will try for another job and come back to the UAE,” added Tariq.
Right now, Tariq has no money to buy an air ticket for his return journey. “ I am hopeful that someone will come forward to help me. Once my status is cleared and my documents all vetted, I am sure I will be able to raise some money, “ he said hopefully.
