Pakistan has approved new rules allowing its citizens living in the UAE, Gulf countries and other overseas markets to import used cars up to three years old under two specific schemes, the government said.

In a statement, the Pakistani government said the federal cabinet had approved a decision by the Economic Coordination Committee to permit the import of used vehicles under the Transfer of Residence and Gift schemes. The decision was taken on December 9, 2025, according to Pakistani media.

Under the rules, vehicles imported through these schemes cannot be sold or transferred for at least one year.

Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) clarified that the facility applies only to overseas Pakistanis, including those residing in the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The Personal Baggage scheme has been excluded and will not allow vehicle imports.

The move affects a large expatriate community in the region. More than 1.7 million Pakistani nationals live in the UAE, while over 5.5 million reside across GCC countries. Globally, the Pakistani diaspora exceeds 9 million people.

Overseas Pakistanis have long called on authorities to allow used car imports under all three schemes, arguing that families returning home after years abroad want to bring personal assets, including vehicles, with them.

However, some officials have raised concerns about misuse of the facility, saying it should be tightly regulated or phased out to prevent abuse.

Residents in the UAE will soon have a new way to get around, with Etihad Rail unveiling the country’s first fully integrated passenger rail network connecting 11 cities and regions. Passenger services are expected to begin in 2026, offering a fast, reliable, and comfortable alternative to road travel.

New stations

Seven new stations will open in Al Sila, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, Madinat Zayed, Mezairaa, Al Faya, and Al Dhaid, adding to previously announced stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. The stations have been strategically placed to make commuting and travel between residential areas, business hubs, and key destinations easier for residents.

The trains will run on fixed schedules, with modern interiors, ergonomic seating, onboard Wi-Fi, and power outlets at every seat. Each train can carry up to 400 passengers, with the network expected to handle around 10 million passengers annually.

Abu Dhabi-Dubai in 57 minutes

Residents can expect travel times of 57 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, 105 minutes to Fujairah, and 70 minutes to Al Ruwais. The passenger network will link destinations from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, reducing dependency on cars and providing a convenient option for daily commuters and weekend travellers alike.

Etihad Rail confirmed that 10 of the 13 trains have already arrived in the UAE and completed safety testing. Officials said the system is being equipped with advanced technologies to ensure safety, efficiency, and reliable service for daily travel.

The network builds on Etihad Rail’s freight operations launched in 2023 and is part of the UAE’s vision for an integrated national transport system. A future high-speed rail line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is planned, expected to cut travel time to just 30 minutes and support long-term economic growth.

Dubai, Jan — Dubai has begun trialling artificial intelligence-powered smart cameras to detect littering and illegal waste dumping, as the emirate steps up efforts to maintain its position as one of the world’s cleanest cities.

Dubai Municipality said the cameras are being installed on selected waste collection and vehicles as part of a pilot phase under its Smart Waste Management framework.

Authorities said individuals caught littering or improperly disposing of furniture and bulky waste could face fines of up to 500. Under Dubai’s existing public cleanliness regulations, penalties vary depending on the violation and can increase for repeat offences, with authorities previously warning that illegal dumping of waste can attract higher fines and enforcement action.

The municipality said the system will enhance monitoring of cleanliness levels on roads and in residential areas, help identify illegal dumping hotspots and enable faster responses to violations through real-time image analysis.

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, director-general of Dubai Municipality, said the results of the pilot phase will be assessed before any decision is taken to expand the system across the emirate.

The technology would help document violations accurately, speed up corrective measures and strengthen enforcement, while protecting community privacy in line with Dubai’s smart city and digital transformation goals.

The initiative forms part of Dubai Municipality’s Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2041, which aims to improve sustainability, public cleanliness and quality of life across the emirate.