During the initial four months of 2026, approximately 3,494 Pakistani nationals were deported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Senate was informed. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry presented these figures in the upper house on Thursday, addressing concerns about alleged targeted actions against Pakistanis in the Gulf state.
In response to a calling attention notice raised by opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas, along with senators Samina Mumtaz Zehri and Azam Swati, the minister clarified that the deportations stemmed from individual legal violations rather than a deliberate diplomatic campaign against Pakistani citizens.
Mr. Chaudhry detailed that those deported included individuals convicted of various criminal offenses as well as others repatriated under routine administrative procedures implemented by Emirati authorities. He underscored that the UAE enforces its domestic laws and visa regulations strictly, and any foreign national violating these rules faces similar consequences regardless of nationality.
Addressing fears of discrimination against Pakistani workers, the minister emphasized there is no substantial evidence indicating that Pakistanis are being specifically targeted. This reassurance comes amid ongoing concerns within the Pakistani diaspora about changing visa policies and tighter immigration controls across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Notably, Mr. Chaudhry reaffirmed the strong economic and diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and the UAE. He assured the Senate that the government continues to engage actively with Emirati officials to safeguard the rights and welfare of overseas Pakistanis, while urging citizens abroad to comply fully with local laws.
