The government says no country- or sect-specific deportations are carried out from the UAE under routine laws
Pakistan-UAE flag. Photo: File
The Interior Ministry on Friday rejected reports of alleged targeted deportations of Pakistani nationals from the United Arab Emirates, describing such claims as “malafide” and part of an “evil propaganda” campaign.
The issue first surfaced last month when some social media accounts claimed that around 1,200 Pakistanis had been deported from the UAE over visa-related issues and alleged offenses in the wake of the regional crisis that erupted after the US-Iran war. A report published by New York Times earlier today claimed that the UAE had begun a large-scale deportation of Pakistani workers.
The report said it interviewed 20 Pakistani Shiites, including eight businessmen based in the Emirates, who claimed their Pakistani employees had been deported in recent weeks. According to the report, the deportations came amid “perceived Emirati displeasure over Pakistan’s response to Iranian attacks” on the Gulf state as Islamabad attempted to broker a peace deal between the US and Iran.
In a statement issued today, the Home Office said it had reviewed the relevant details and data and found the reports fabricated and misleading.
“No country- or sect-specific deportations from any country, including the United Arab Emirates, are being carried out,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Interior has taken note of speculative reporting in sections of the media, especially social media, about targeted deportations of Pakistani nationals from the brotherly Islamic country of the UAE.
— Ministry of Home Affairs GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) 8 May 2026
The ministry clarified that deportations, where they occurred, were part of a routine process carried out in accordance with the host country’s rules and legal system, including cases involving violations of laws, trespassing or illegal documentation.
It further stated that Pakistani nationals who met the host countries’ visa and work-related requirements continued to travel to and obtain employment visas for the UAE and other friendly countries “without prejudice”.
The ministry said the “fake news” and social media posts suggesting otherwise were “malicious and fabricated” and aimed to serve “ulterior motives”.
It added that any matter involving a Pakistani national abroad is dealt with on a case-by-case basis with the relevant country through established channels of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO).
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office spokesperson, when asked about the issue during the weekly press briefing, said he was not aware of the development.
Pressed again on the matter, he had said that Pakistan’s missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai were actively managing individual consular cases brought to their attention by community members or by applicants directly.
He said the deportations were related to immigration status violations, felonies and repatriation.
“I do not see any political reason for their deportation. These are primarily legal matters which are being taken care of, both by our diplomatic missions in the UAE as well as by the UAE authorities,” the FO spokesman had said.
