Pakistan said on Thursday that the deportation of its nationals from the United Arab Emirates was linked to legal and immigration violations, not political considerations.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistani missions in the UAE issued 2,710 emergency travel documents between January and April, describing the figure as the highest recorded in four years.
He added that overall deportation numbers had otherwise remained largely stable.
A significant number of repatriations followed a royal pardon announced by UAE leadership during Eid, which facilitated the release and return of jailed individuals. Andrabi said the issue was being handled through legal channels in coordination with UAE authorities.
Reports suggest up to 15,000 Pakistanis have been deported. Pakistan's Interior Ministry has also moved to block the passports of those deported from Gulf countries and initiated five-year travel bans for offenders.
Andrabi said the Pakistani community in the UAE had largely complied with local laws and that cooperation with Emirati authorities remained positive, apart from "one or two sporadic incidents."
Pakistan also reiterated its condemnation of recent attacks in the UAE and expressed solidarity with the Emirati leadership. He said Pakistan's embassy and consular offices remained in regular contact with UAE officials.
What is Pakistan's position on Iran-US negotiations?
The Foreign Office reaffirmed Pakistan's support for diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, expressing optimism about ongoing talks. "We would expect an agreement sooner rather than later," Andrabi said, while declining to discuss details of any ongoing contacts.
Officials said Pakistan, which has positioned itself as a facilitator for dialogue, would continue to maintain confidentiality around diplomatic efforts.
The spokesperson said any settlement would be welcomed wherever it took place, adding: "If it takes place in Islamabad, it would be an honor and privilege." Pakistan reiterated its longstanding position that international disputes should be resolved through dialogue rather than confrontation.
What is Pakistan doing about Somali piracy affecting its crew members?
The Foreign Office said Pakistan was continuing efforts to secure the release of Pakistani and other foreign crew members held by pirates in Somalia's Puntland region.
Pakistan's embassy in Djibouti, which is also accredited to Somalia, remained engaged with Somali authorities, while discussions were ongoing with the captors. Officials said Islamabad was also considering sending a diplomatic delegation to Mogadishu for consultations.
The crew includes nationals from Pakistan, Indonesia, Myanmar, India and Sri Lanka, all reported safe. Ship owners were also said to be in contact with the pirates. Pakistan described piracy as a longstanding regional security challenge and said it remained engaged in broader international maritime security efforts.
What did Pakistan say about Afghanistan and regional tensions?
Andrabi said Pakistan continued to prioritize diplomacy over conflict, stating: "We do not talk about war and instead talk of dialogue and diplomacy."
He said there was no dispute between the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan, noting shared religion and culture, but reiterated concerns that militant activity originating from Afghan territory continued to undermine regional security. Pakistan urged greater focus on addressing the root causes of militancy.
The Foreign Office also said it was closely monitoring political and security developments in South Asia, including India's defense acquisitions. Officials confirmed that all options regarding the Indus Waters Treaty remained available to Pakistan, while water flows and related data continued to be documented. Pakistan confirmed continued engagement with international partners despite what officials described as recurring Indian objections to such cooperation.
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