ISLAMABAD:
The Interior Ministry on Friday denied reports of “targeted expulsions” of Pakistani nationals from the United Arab Emirates, calling the allegations “in bad faith” and a “vicious propaganda campaign”.
Some social media accounts claimed that around 1,200 Pakistanis had been deported from the UAE.
A report published by the New York Times claims that the United Arab Emirates has launched a large-scale expulsion of Pakistani workers.
The report said it interviewed 20 Pakistani Shiites, including eight UAE-based businessmen, who claimed their Pakistani employees had been expelled in recent weeks.
According to the report, the expulsions took place amid “perceived UAE dissatisfaction with Pakistan’s response to Iranian strikes” against the Gulf state, as Islamabad attempted to broker a peace deal between the United States and Iran.
In a statement released on Friday, the Interior Ministry said it had reviewed the details and relevant data and concluded that the reports were fabricated and misleading. “No country- or sect-specific expulsions from any country, including the UAE, are being carried out,” the statement said.
The ministry clarified that expulsions, when they took place, were part of a routine process undertaken in accordance with the regulations and legal system of the host country, including cases involving violations of laws, overstays or illegal documents.
He further said that Pakistani nationals who met the visa and work requirements of host countries continued to travel and obtain work visas for the UAE and other friendly countries “without prejudice”. The ministry said “fake news” and social media posts suggesting otherwise were “malicious and fabricated” and aimed to serve “ulterior motives”.
He added that any matter involving a Pakistani national abroad is taken up on a case-by-case basis with the country concerned through established FO channels.
