The government says no deportations of specific countries or sects are being carried out from the UAE under routine laws.
Flags of Pakistan and United Arab Emirates. Photo: Archive
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday dismissed reports of alleged targeted deportations of Pakistani nationals from the United Arab Emirates, calling such claims “bad faith” and part of a “vicious propaganda” campaign.
The issue first arose last month when some social media accounts claimed that around 1,200 Pakistanis had been deported from the UAE over visa issues and alleged legal violations in the wake of the regional crisis that erupted after the US-Iran war. A report published by The New York Times Today he claimed that the UAE had begun a large-scale expulsion of Pakistani workers.
The report said it interviewed 20 Pakistani Shiites, including eight businessmen based in the Emirates, who alleged that their Pakistani employees had been deported in recent weeks. According to the report, the deportations came amid the Emirates’ “perceived discontent over Pakistan’s response to Iranian attacks” on the Gulf state, as Islamabad attempted to broker a peace deal between the United States and Iran.
In a statement issued today, the Home Office said it had reviewed the relevant details and data and found the reports to be fabricated and misleading.
“No deportations are being carried out from any country or specific sect from any country, including the United Arab Emirates,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken note of speculative reports in sections of the media, especially social media, about targeted deportations of Pakistani nationals from the sister Islamic country of the United Arab Emirates.
— Ministry of Home Affairs GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) May 8, 2026
The ministry clarified that the deportations, when they occurred, were part of a routine process carried out in accordance with the regulations and legal system of the host country, including cases involving violations of laws, excessive stay or illegal documentation.
He further stated that Pakistani nationals who met the visa and work requirements of the 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 citizen abroad is taken up on a case-by-case basis with the concerned country through the established channels of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO).
Meanwhile, when asked about the issue during the weekly press conference, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said he was not aware of the development.
When pressed again on the matter, he said Pakistan’s missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai were actively handling individual consular cases that had been brought to them by members of the community or directly by applicants.
He said the deportations were related to immigration status violations, legal violations and repatriation.
“I don’t see any political reason for his deportation. These are mainly legal cases, which are dealt with by both our diplomatic missions in the UAE and the UAE authorities,” the FO spokesperson said.
