ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday dismissed claims of targeted deportations of Pakistani nationals from the United Arab Emirates, describing them as “malicious propaganda” fuelled by vested interests.
The interior ministry issued a statement clarifying that reports circulating on social media regarding the deportation of Pakistani workers from the Gulf nation in recent weeks are unfounded. The ministry emphasized that such deportations, if they occur, are part of standard procedures aligned with the host country’s legal framework.
The speculation appeared to intensify after Pakistan repaid $3.5 billion in debt to the UAE last month, which raised concerns about its impact on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the interior ministry stated that after reviewing all relevant data, it found the reports to be “mala fide” and baseless.
It further clarified that no deportations targeting specific countries or communities are being carried out by any nation, including the UAE. Any removals are routine, typically due to violations of local laws, overstays, or issues related to illegal documentation.
The ministry reassured that Pakistani citizens who meet the visa and work requirements of the host country continue to visit and work in the UAE and other friendly nations without discrimination.
It condemned the spread of “fake news” on social media, asserting that such reports are fabricated to serve ulterior motives. The government added that any issues involving Pakistani nationals abroad are handled on a case-by-case basis through established diplomatic channels.
Similarly, the Foreign Office (FO) dismissed “misleading and unfounded” reports about the UAE debt repayment, describing it as a normal financial transaction. Last month, the FO stated that the UAE funds were deposited with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) under bilateral commercial agreements.
The FO reaffirmed that the deposits were a demonstration of the UAE’s strong support for Pakistan’s economic stability and prosperity. It clarified that the government, through the SBP, was simply returning the matured deposits to the UAE as per the agreed terms, emphasizing that this is a routine process and any attempts to depict it otherwise are incorrect.
