Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: As whispers of a diplomatic breakdown grow louder, the National Assembly was told on Thursday that Pakistan’s relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remained “absolutely fine,” despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry rose on the floor to dismiss growing concerns over the deportation of Pakistani nationals from the Gulf state, insisting that ties with the UAE were “as good as ever.” His remarks came in response to questions from lawmakers alarmed by reports that Pakistani workers, particularly from the Shia community, were being expelled on short notice, sparking anxiety among expatriates across the Emirates. Recent geopolitical tremors, particularly the US and Israeli posture towards Iran, appear to have prompted a wave of expulsions in the UAE, raising fears of a subtle sectarian targeting of Pakistanis. Yet, Chaudhry flatly denied these claims, without providing clarity on the swift deportations that have unsettled Pakistanis residing in the Gulf. “I don’t know why people are intent on building a narrative against a country; that people from there are being deported based on sectarian differences,” the state minister asserted, in a tone that seemed more defensive than reassuring. “There is no such thing. The government has categorically denied this. Our ties with the UAE are absolutely fine.” In a bid to underline cooperation, Chaudhry noted that UAE officials had now extended entry under new arrangements to holders of official and diplomatic passports – a facility that, according to him, had not existed previously. He insisted that there was no discrimination based on religion or sect in visa and deportation matters, urging lawmakers to refrain from drawing premature conclusions that could jeopardise future diplomatic relations. The state minister further emphasised that Pakistan’s bonds with Gulf states remain robust. He highlighted the economic contributions of overseas Pakistanis, noting that remittances from Saudi Arabia lead the way, followed closely by the UAE, where over 1.7 million Pakistanis live and work, supporting both their host nation and Pakistan’s economy. Chaudhry cautioned that inflammatory statements about bilateral relations could harm Pakistan’s diplomatic standing. “We should not be jumping to conclusions regarding countries,” he warned. However, he reiterated that the government would address every genuine complaint, promising equal protection for all Pakistani citizens, “regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background.” In a broader defence of government performance, Chaudhry pointed to recent improvements in Pakistan’s passport ranking and international travel facilitation. Responding to points of order, he stressed the administration’s responsibility to safeguard citizens abroad, while lamenting a perceived obsession with naming Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in headlines. “Discussions should focus on performance and institutional work,” he argued, urging lawmakers to evaluate results over the past two to two-and-a-half years rather than indulge in political theatre. The state minister also highlighted several visa facilitation agreements with foreign states, including arrangements for diplomatic and official passport holders, alongside progress on visa-free entry schemes. On the security front, he lamented the superficiality of political speeches on terrorism, advocating instead for a measured assessment of implementation and ground realities. He called for a detailed parliamentary debate on the National Action Plan (NAP), stressing that stakeholders must identify shortcomings to ensure effective counterterrorism measures. Chaudhry concluded with an appeal for measured scrutiny rather than sensationalism, reiterating that the government viewed Pakistanis of “all sects and colours” as equal, and vowed to uphold their rights abroad. Yet, with reports of abrupt deportations still circulating, the House was left to grapple with the uneasy question: can Islamabad truly assert harmony with the UAE while its citizens face sudden expulsion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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