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Pakistani Shi'ites return from UAE after mass deportations
SummaryThousands of Pakistani Shi’ite workers have returned from the United Arab Emirates after being deported in recent months, leaving behind jobs, belongings, and long-built savings, according to affected individuals and community reports.Community representatives claim that the deportations have increased during the recent Iran-related regional tensions, affecting workers across multiple sectors including security, construction, transport, and IT.Officials also say remittance flows from overseas Pakistanis remain stable, despite growing concern in affected communities.AI Generated SummaryThousands of Pakistani Shi’ite workers have returned from the United Arab Emirates after being deported in recent months, leaving behind jobs, belongings, and long-built savings, according to affected individuals and community reports. In rural districts such as Chakwal and Kurram, returnees describe abrupt detentions, loss of employment, and no clear explanation from UAE authorities. Many say they were unable to retrieve personal items or access banked earnings before being put on flights back to Pakistan. Community representatives claim that the deportations have increased during the recent Iran-related regional tensions, affecting workers across multiple sectors including security, construction, transport, and IT. A Shi’ite political group estimates thousands may have been sent back since late February, though official figures have not been confirmed. Deportees allege they were questioned about income sources and financial links before removal, while some say they were detained for days without charges. One returnee described the experience as being “reduced to nothing overnight,” after years of stable employment abroad. Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the reports and say they are reviewing allegations of discriminatory treatment. However, UAE authorities have not publicly responded to specific claims regarding sect-based targeting. Pakistan’s government has acknowledged deportations but maintains they are linked to visa and regulatory issues rather than religious identity. Officials also say remittance flows from overseas Pakistanis remain stable, despite growing concern in affected communities. With millions of Pakistanis working in Gulf countries, the situation has raised anxiety over job security and long-term residency status for expatriates, particularly amid heightened regional political tensions. We welcome your contributions! Submit...
Pakistan Shi'ites deported from UAE return to lost jobs, frozen savings
By Saad Sayeed and Mubasher BukhariCHAKWAL, Pakistan, May 25 (Reuters) - In a cluster of villages in Pakistan's largely rural Chakwal district, more than 100 Shi'ite Muslims have returned from the United Arab Emirates without jobs, luggage or access to the savings they spent years building abroad.They are among potentially thousands of Shi'ites deported from the UAE to Pakistan during the Iran war, raising alarm in Pakistan's Shi'ite community and prompting Human Rights Watch to investigate.Reuters reviewed immigration documents, visa-status screenshots and flight details for 103 Pakistanis who said they were deported Shi'ites, interviewing 24 of them. Each interviewee said they were unable to retrieve luggage or savings before being placed on flights alongside dozens of other Shi'ite deportees.A database compiled by the Pakistani Shi'ite political organisation Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, seen by Reuters, lists 7,500 Pakistani Shi'ites deported from the Gulf Arab state since February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Group spokesperson Mohsin Abidi said the actual number was likely far higher.PAKISTAN'S SHI'ITES SAY DEPORTATIONS HAVE ACCELERATEDLeaders of Pakistan's Shi'ite community say the deportations have accelerated during the war, which has heightened tensions across the Gulf, particularly as Iran responded by launching missile and drone strikes on the UAE.Reuters could not determine the criteria the UAE authorities used to select the Pakistanis for deportation.The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on a list of questions from Reuters about the deportations.Pakistan's interior ministry said in a statement the UAE had not deported anyone based on sect, saying any deportations were for violating UAE regulations. Pakistan's foreign ministry said "deportation figures remain steady" this year, without providing details.But a senior Pakistani government official, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Islamabad was "reviewing the situation after receiving thousands of Pakistanis deported from UAE", most of them Shi'ites. He said the Pakistani government had not openly taken up the case for "diplomatic reasons", without offering details.Human Rights Watch's deputy Middle East and North Africa director, Michael Page, said that "reports of UAE deportations of Pakistani Shia residents are deeply alarming" and the group was "investigating these serious allegations".About 1.8 million P...
Pakistan Shi'ites deported from UAE return to lost jobs, frozen savings ...
In a cluster of villages in Pakistan's largely rural Chakwal district, more than 100 Shi'ite Muslims have returned from the United Arab Emirates without jobs, luggage or access to the savings ...
Pakistan Shi'ites Deported from UAE Return to Lost Jobs, Frozen Savings ...
In a cluster of villages in Pakistan’s largely rural Chakwal district, more than 100 Shi’ite Muslims have returned from the United Arab Emirates without jobs, luggage or access to the savings they spent years building abroad.They are among potentially thousands of Shi’ites deported from the UAE to Pakistan during the Iran war, raising alarm in Pakistan’s Shi’ite community and prompting Human Rights Watch to investigate.Reuters reviewed immigration documents, visa-status screenshots and flight details for 103 Pakistanis who said they were deported Shi’ites, interviewing 24 of them. Each interviewee said they were unable to retrieve luggage or savings before being placed on flights alongside dozens of other Shi’ite deportees.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADA database compiled by the Pakistani Shi’ite political organisation Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, seen by Reuters, lists 7,500 Pakistani Shi’ites deported from the Gulf Arab state since February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Group spokesperson Mohsin Abidi said the actual number was likely far higher.More from WorldPakistan’s Shi’ites say deportations have acceleratedLeaders of Pakistan’s Shi’ite community say the deportations have accelerated during the war, which has heightened tensions across the Gulf, particularly as Iran responded by launching missile and drone strikes on the UAE.Reuters could not determine the criteria the UAE authorities used to select the Pakistanis for deportation.The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on a list of questions from Reuters about the deportations.Pakistan’s interior ministry said in a statement the UAE had not deported anyone based on sect, saying any deportations were for violating UAE regulations. Pakistan’s foreign ministry said ”deportation figures remain steady” this year, without providing details.But a senior Pakistani government official, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Islamabad was ”reviewing the situation after receiving thousands of Pakistanis deported from UAE”, most of them Shi’ites. He said the Pakistani government had not openly taken up the case for ”diplomatic reasons”, without offering details.Human Rights Watch’s deputy Middle East and North Africa director, Michael Page, said that ”reports of UAE deportations of Pakistani Shia residents are deeply alarming” and the group was ”investigating these serious allegations”.About 1.8 million Pakistanis live and work in the UAE,...
