Interior ministry rejects ‘targeted deportation’ claims from UAE, terms reports propaganda

• Ministry says no country- or sect-specific expulsions underway, dismissing social media reports as ‘mala fide’ and misleading

• Deportations, if any, linked to legal violations and immigration issues, says ministry

• The New York Times report on alleged large-scale expulsions triggers official clarification

• Pakistani missions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi issued 3,494 ETDs in four months

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Ministry of Interior on Friday rejected media reports and social media claims suggesting “country- or sect-specific” deportations of Pakistani nationals from the United Arab Emirates, clarifying that no "targeted expulsions" were being carried out by any country, including the UAE.

In a statement posted on its official X account, the Interior Ministry denied reports claiming Pakistanis were being deported from the UAE without reason, terming such reports “speculative” and misleading.

Ministry of Interior has taken notice of speculative reporting in sections of media especially social media about targeted deportations of Pakistani nationals from brotherly Islamic country of UAE.

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) May 8, 2026

The ministry said it had taken notice of “speculative reporting in sections of media, especially social media, about targeted deportations of Pakistani nationals from brotherly Islamic country of UAE.”

“Having gone through the details and data, it is necessary to state that all such reporting is mala fide and part of vicious propaganda by vested interests. No country- or sect-specific deportations from any country, including UAE, are being carried out,” the ministry said.

Having gone through the details and data it is necessary to state that all such reporting is malafide and part of vicious propaganda by vested interest. No country or sect specific deportations from any country including UAE are being carried out.

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) May 8, 2026

The clarification came after reports surfaced alleging that Pakistani nationals, particularly from the Shia community, were being deported from the UAE.

Among them, The New York Times reported earlier on Friday that the Gulf state had initiated what it described as a “large-scale expulsion” of Pakistani workers.

According to the report, the US newspaper spoke to more than 20 Pakistani Shias working in the UAE, all of whom claimed they had been suddenly arrested, detained, and deported over the past month.

The report linked the alleged expulsions to what it described as a strain in bilateral ties amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Responding to these reports, the Interior Ministry reiterated that any deportations, where they occurred, were part of routine legal and administrative processes under the host country’s regulations, including cases involving immigration violations, legal infractions, overstays, or invalid documentation.

The ministry emphasized that Pakistani nationals who fulfilled visa and employment requirements continued to travel to and obtain work visas for the UAE and other friendly countries without discrimination or prejudice.

“Fake news being peddled to the contrary along with social media posts is malicious and fabricated with a purpose to serve ulterior motives,” it said.

It further clarified that any issue involving a Pakistani national abroad was addressed on a case-to-case basis through established diplomatic channels by the Foreign Office of Pakistan.

A day earlier, during the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi was also asked about the reportedly high number of Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs), or outpasses, issued by Pakistani missions in the UAE.

In response, Andrabi said the increase was “mainly driven by administrative actions, including immigration status violations and other legal infractions.”

He said the Pakistani Consulate General in Dubai had issued around 2,714 Emergency Travel Documents, while the embassy in Abu Dhabi issued 780 between January and April 2026.

“So this was the four-month record,” he said.

When asked whether Pakistani authorities had sought clarification from Emirati officials and law enforcement agencies regarding the reported expulsions, Andrabi said Pakistan’s embassy remained in contact with UAE authorities.

He said the mission had also advised the Pakistani community to fully comply with local laws and official instructions, particularly in the wake of regional hostilities and serious armed attacks against the UAE, which Pakistan had condemned.

He added that the Pakistani community in the UAE had, by and large, cooperated with local authorities, except for a few sporadic cases.

“The Ministry of Interior and relevant departments are also seized of this matter (repatriation). This matter is proceeding as per law. I do not see any political reason for their deportation,” Andrabi said.

“These are primarily legal cases, which are being handled by both our diplomatic missions in UAE as well as by the UAE authorities,” he added.