Post by : Badri Ariffin

Over 100 Pakistani Shia Muslims from Chakwal district have reportedly come back from the UAE after being deported amidst the ongoing conflict in Iran. Many individuals express frustration over losing jobs and personal belongings without clear explanations from authorities.

Reports indicate that numerous deported Pakistanis were suddenly detained and placed on flights back home alongside other Shia Muslims. Many claimed they were not allowed to retrieve their belongings or access their funds prior to being deported.

The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, a Pakistani Shia political group, has compiled a database that reportedly indicates around 7,500 Shias have been deported from the UAE since February 28. The organization believes the real figure may be significantly higher.

Shia leaders in Pakistan assert that the number of deportations has soared as tensions escalated during the Iran conflict, which included missile and drone strikes against the UAE, raising security alarms throughout the Gulf region.

Despite these claims, Pakistan's Interior Ministry has refuted any connection between the deportations and religious sects, asserting that all deportations stem from violations of UAE laws. The Foreign Ministry stated that deportation numbers are consistent with previous years, albeit without providing specific figures.

A senior official from the Pakistani government, opting for anonymity, noted that Islamabad is actively reviewing the cases of thousands of deported nationals, most of whom belong to the Shia community. He highlighted the government's reluctance to address this matter publicly due to sensitive diplomatic relations.

Human Rights Watch has also raised concerns regarding these deportations. Michael Page, the organization's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, described the allegations as “deeply alarming” and affirmed that an investigation is underway.

Home to one of the largest Shia populations globally, Pakistan has nearly 40 million Shias making up around 17% of its demographic. Approximately 1.8 million Pakistanis reside in the UAE, contributing over $6 billion in annual remittances.

Emotionally charged testimonies from deported workers reveal significant personal loss. Ali Ahmed Naqvi, a Dubai-based tech worker, recounted how his wife was detained while changing her work visa and subsequently deported. Naqvi himself was later held at the airport and deported alongside 93 other Shia passengers.

In Kurram district, community leaders reported that nearly 1,500 individuals have returned from the UAE since the conflict started, many of whom were their families' primary breadwinners.

Laiq Hussain, who dedicated two decades to working in Dubai, expressed despair over losing everything in an instant following his deportation. Another individual, a former Dubai Metro manager, described a harrowing experience where police confiscated his phones, handcuffed him, and detained him for nine days prior to his return to Pakistan.

Some deportees mentioned that UAE authorities inquired about their earnings, remittances, and any potential affiliations with Iran just before their deportation.

Human rights advocates emphasize that concerns regarding the treatment of Shia Muslims in Gulf nations are longstanding, but recent reports indicate a potential worsening of conditions during the Iran conflict.

#world news #Global News #Pakistan #Global Updates