The Pakistani government on Friday categorically dismissed social media reports alleging that its nationals are being targeted for deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), calling the claims a "vicious propaganda" campaign fueled by Indian media and operatives who are actively working to sabotage Pakistan's diplomatic ties with Gulf states .
At a press briefing in Islamabad, the Interior Ministry rejected reports of "targeted expulsions," clarifying that while routine legal deportations for overstaying visas or violating local laws do occur, there is "no country- or sect-specific" policy being implemented against Pakistanis . Official data showed that Pakistani missions in the UAE issued a specific number of Emergency Travel Documents in the first four months of the year, a figure described as routine .
"All such reporting is mala fide and part of vicious propaganda by vested interests," the Interior Ministry said in a statement, urging the public to rely on official sources rather than "malicious and fabricated" social media posts .
Official sources pointed to a long-running pattern of "hybrid warfare" orchestrated by Indian intelligence agencies, alleging that India has deployed fake social media accounts posing as Pakistani citizens to spread disinformation . Analysts claim these accounts run coordinated campaigns not only against Pakistan but also against friendly nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the UAE, specifically designed to create diplomatic mistrust .
Pakistan's Foreign Office had previously exposed such activities, noting that "fake Indian social media accounts" are used to "malign Pakistan" and fearmonger about the safety of overseas Pakistanis to strain Islamabad's relationships with host countries .
In its detailed rebuttal, the Interior Ministry emphasized that the modus operandi of the "Indian disinformation network" is to take routine immigration or legal violations and amplify them as systemic persecution .
The ministry stated clearly that deportations, if any, are conducted under the host country's laws-such as overstay or illegal documentation-and are not linked to the political or religious identity of the individuals .
Responding to a specific report by an American newspaper that framed the issue in the context of the Middle East conflict, a senior official noted that such reports ignore the fact that the UAE continues to facilitate work visas for Pakistanis without prejudice .
"We reject these attempts by Indian media outlets to drive a wedge between Pakistan and the UAE," the official added, noting that the two brotherly nations continue to enjoy robust economic and security cooperation .
