Unified visa for GCC countries by 2014

Dubai, Aug 27: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) plans to launch a unified visa for tourists visiting the region by mid-2014, aimed at simplifying travel formalities for visitors.

“The plan to have a GCC tourism visa, similar to the Schengen visa in Europe, is about to be implemented after obstacles have been cleared,” media reports quoted security sources as saying.

With the help of a new visa, Arab and foreign tourists could visit all GCC member countries which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

A single-entry visa should be valid for one month while multiple-entry visas could be issued for one year, reports said, adding that the conditions for obtaining the GCC visa include presenting evidence of sufficient financial resources.

“There are some technical issues that are being addressed now and the GCC visa could be issued in mid-2014,” reports said.

Foreigners who are not allowed to enter a GCC country for legal reasons and those who had been deported will not be issued the unified visa.

However, sources said that the unified GCC visa would not cancel the existing system of a single GCC country visa.

“The GCC visa is expected to reinvigorate tourism, business, shopping travel and economic activities in the member countries,” they said.

Gulf nationals can travel to any of the GCC countries without visas and upon presenting an identity card while most foreigners need to apply for visas ahead of their travel.

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A Tragic End—Mortal Remains of Entrepreneur Mumtaz Ali Found In River

News Network

October 7,2024

Mangaluru, Oct 7: In a heartbreaking turn of events, the search for Mumtaz Ali, chairman of Misbah Group of Educational Institutions, ended with the discovery of his mortal remains in the Phalguni river near Kulur. The somber discovery came after an exhaustive search, leaving a community in shock and sorrow.

He is the younger brother of former MLA Mohuiddin Bawa and former MLC B M Farookh.

The incident has taken a deeply distressing turn with the filing of an FIR against six individuals, including a woman, who are accused of pushing Ali to a tragic end.

The accused allegedly blackmailed Ali, fabricating a story about his involvement in an illicit relationship with the woman. Reports suggest that they extorted Rs 50 lakh from Ali and were unrelenting, demanding an additional Rs 50 lakh from him, casting a shadow over his final days.

The complaint, lodged by Ali’s grieving brother, accuses these individuals of driving him to despair through relentless blackmail and false accusations, ultimately leading him to take the tragic step.

In the early hours of Sunday, Ali left his home at 3 am, heading towards Suratkal, perhaps seeking some solace. A minor accident occurred when his car collided with a private bus near MCF. Despite the mishap, he offered a heartfelt apology to the bus driver and conductor—a gesture that now echoes with the pain of his unspoken struggles. After the collision, Ali made a U-turn near Panambur circle, driving back towards Kulur bridge, where his journey came to a sorrowful end.

Ali’s last moments hold an even deeper sadness, as he left behind a voice message in Byari, naming an individual who had been tormenting him mentally. Sent to his daughter and a close friend, the message revealed the unbearable burden he was carrying, hinting at his final decision to end his suffering.

This tragic loss has left the community and his loved ones grappling with unanswered questions and a profound sense of grief. As the investigation unfolds, the memory of Mumtaz Ali lingers, a reminder of the silent battles that too often go unseen.

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