Deportation of Pakistani Shias from UAE Amidst Iran Hostilities

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Over 100 Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims from the Chakwal district have returned home from the United Arab Emirates following their deportation amidst the turmoil of the Iran conflict. Numerous individuals reported losing not only their employment but also their belongings and years of savings without any clear rationale from local authorities.

As per interviews and documentation reviewed by Reuters, many deportees recounted instances of abrupt detentions which led to them being quickly placed on flights back to Pakistan alongside numerous other Shi'ite Muslims. Reports indicate that they were often barred from retrieving their personal items or accessing their financial resources prior to being sent back.

A database created by the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, a political body representing Shi'ites in Pakistan, lists approximately 7,500 individuals deported from the UAE since February 28. The organization suggests that the true figure may be significantly higher.

Leaders of Pakistan's Shi'ite community have expressed concerns that the rate of deportations surged in correlation with escalating tensions in the Gulf, linked to the conflict in Iran, during which Iran executed missile and drone strikes against the UAE, raising alarms throughout the area regarding security.

Despite these claims, officials from Pakistan’s Interior Ministry have dismissed any suggestion of a direct link between deportations and religious affiliations, asserting that any removals were due to infringements of UAE laws. The Foreign Ministry also claimed that the year’s numbers of deportations were typical, although they did not provide specific statistics.

An anonymous senior official from the Pakistani government indicated that Islamabad is evaluating the situation, especially with the influx of deported citizens, primarily Shi'ite Muslims. The official noted that the issue has not been publicly addressed due to its delicate diplomatic implications.

Human Rights Watch has acknowledged these incidents, with Michael Page, the organization’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, describing the unfolding allegations as “deeply alarming” and confirming that they are investigating these occurrences.

With nearly 40 million Shi'ites, Pakistan holds one of the largest Shi'ite populations globally, constituting approximately 17% of its population. Additionally, about 1.8 million Pakistani nationals reside and work in the UAE, contributing over $6 billion in remittances annually back to Pakistan.

Many of those deported shared heartrending stories about their experiences. One such individual, Ali Ahmed Naqvi, a tech worker in Dubai, shared that his wife was apprehended while applying for a work visa and was subsequently deported. He recounted being detained at the airport and subsequently deported alongside 93 other Shi'ite travelers.

In Kurram district, community leaders stated that close to 1,500 individuals from the area have returned from the UAE since the conflict's commencement, many of whom were the primary breadwinners for their families.

Laiq Hussain, a worker with two decades of experience in Dubai, explained how he lost everything in mere moments upon deportation. Another deported manager from Dubai Metro recounted being handcuffed, having his phones seized, and enduring nine days of detention before being sent back to Pakistan.

Some deportees reported being interrogated by UAE officials regarding their salaries, remittances, and any possible affiliations with Iran before their deportation.

Rights organizations have long highlighted concerns regarding the treatment of Shi'ite Muslims in Gulf nations, and recent reports suggest this situation may have intensified during the ongoing conflict in Iran.

#Global News #World News #Global Updates #Pakistan