Ministry of Interior Pakistan has rejected circulating reports claiming that Pakistani nationals are being subjected to “targeted deportations” from the United Arab Emirates, stating that no country- or sect-specific expulsions are taking place.
In an official statement issued on Friday, the ministry said that claims spreading on social media about mass or discriminatory deportations were “mala fide” and part of a “vicious propaganda campaign” by vested interests.
The clarification comes after multiple media reports suggested that a number of Pakistanis, including workers in the UAE, were being detained and deported. A report published by The New York Times also claimed that the Gulf country had begun a large-scale expulsion of Pakistani workers, with some individuals alleging sudden arrests and removals.
Rejecting these assertions, the interior ministry stressed that any deportations occurring were part of routine immigration enforcement carried out under host country laws, including cases related to visa violations, overstays, or illegal documentation.
It further stated that Pakistani citizens continue to travel to and work in the UAE and other friendly countries without any restriction, provided they meet legal visa requirements.
The ministry also emphasized that any consular or legal issues involving Pakistani nationals are handled on a case-by-case basis through established diplomatic channels.
During a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi addressed related concerns, including reports of an increased issuance of emergency travel documents by Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in the UAE.
He explained that between January and April 2026, the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai issued 2,714 emergency travel documents, while the Embassy in Abu Dhabi issued 780, attributing the cases mainly to immigration violations and legal infractions.
Andrabi also confirmed that Pakistan’s diplomatic missions remain in contact with UAE authorities and are closely monitoring developments, particularly in light of broader regional tensions in the Gulf.
He added that the Pakistani community in the UAE is largely cooperating with local authorities, with only isolated cases of legal violations being reported.
Officials reiterated that there is no evidence of politically motivated or sect-based deportations and described the situation as a matter of routine legal enforcement rather than diplomatic or ethnic targeting.
