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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Interior Ministry on Friday denied reports that Pakistani nationals were being specifically targeted for deportation from the United Arab Emirates, saying any removals were part of routine immigration enforcement under UAE law. In an official statement, the ministry said reports circulating in some media outlets and on social media were false and intended to spread misinformation. The ministry said no country-specific or sect-specific deportation campaign was underway in the UAE. It said deportations, where they occur, are linked to violations of local laws, visa overstays or irregular documentation. Pakistani nationals who meet visa and employment requirements continue to travel to the UAE and obtain work visas without discrimination, the statement said. The ministry stated that issues involving Pakistani citizens abroad are handled individually through diplomatic channels. More than 1.8 million Pakistanis live in the UAE. Remittances from the Gulf country totaled about $7.1 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. Pakistan and the UAE also maintain close political and economic ties. Official trade data for fiscal year 2024-25 showed bilateral trade exceeded $10.1 billion. Pakistan exported about $1.93 billion worth of goods to the UAE in 2025, according to official figures, including fuels, meat products, cereals and textiles. The UAE also maintains a $2 billion deposit with State Bank of Pakistan, according to central bank data.

Pakistani workers play cricket in an industrial zone in the Gulf emirate of Sharjah, during their day off from work, on September 24, 2022. (AFP)

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan rejects reports that its citizens were being specifically targeted for deportation from the United Arab Emirates, saying removals were tied to immigration violations and legal issues.

Pakistan dismisses claims of 'targeted' deportations of citizens from UAE

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kuwait agreed Monday to expand labor cooperation and finalize a key agreement ahead of the Kuwaiti Crown Prince&#39;s upcoming visit to Islamabad, according to a statement from Pakistan&#39;s Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis.&nbsp; The country&rsquo;s Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, met with the Director-General of Kuwait&#39;s Public Authority for Manpower, Rabab Abdullah Al-Osaimi, on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue 2026 in Dubai. The two sides discussed a proposed labor memorandum of understanding that Pakistan is prepared to sign during the crown prince&#39;s forthcoming visit. Salik Hussain requested access to Kuwait&#39;s manpower portal for Pakistani workers and overseas employment promoters to facilitate smoother recruitment processes, the statement said. Hussain stated that Pakistani workers have historically played a significant role in Kuwait&#39;s development and continue to possess the skills and capacity to meet Kuwait&#39;s future needs, particularly in infrastructure and other key sectors. The meeting reviewed recent high-level exchanges between the two countries and the statement&#39;s description of a constructive response from Kuwaiti authorities. Both sides agreed to expand labor cooperation and institutionalize regular consultations. The minister extended an invitation for Kuwaiti officials to visit Pakistan, the statement said.

Pakistan's Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, held a meeting with the Director-General of Kuwait's Public Authority for Manpower, on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue 2026. (APP)

Officials discussed recruitment access, a pending memorandum and consultations during talks held on sidelines of Abu Dhabi Dialogue in Dubai.

Pakistan strengthens Kuwait labor ties ahead of crown prince visit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/16-countries-to-send-57-observers-for-feb-12-election-bangladeshi-state-media" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bangladesh</a>&nbsp;have agreed to strengthen cooperation on overseas labor and human resource development after talks between senior officials in Dubai, according to an official statement. Pakistan&#39;s Minister for <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-launches-zerocost-digital-wallet-for-overseas-workers-remittances" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Overseas Pakistanis</a> and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, met with Bangladesh&#39;s Adviser on Expatriates&#39; Welfare and Overseas Employment, Dr Asif Nazrul, on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue 2026. During the meeting, Pakistan outlined programs run by the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission to develop skills among expatriate workers. Bangladesh described the operations of its Technical Training Centers. The chairman of Pakistan&#39;s Employees&#39; Old-Age Benefits Institution presented details on the institution&#39;s role in providing social protection to workers. <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-pakistan-military-chiefs-discuss-defense-cooperation" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Both nations</a> said they are interested in sharing expertise on labor export, including recruitment processes, skills training and reintegration of returning workers. The two countries also discussed potential cooperation in education, health, tourism and trade. Senior diplomatic officials from Pakistan and Bangladesh&#39;s missions in the UAE attended the meeting.

The two countries also discussed potential cooperation in education, health, tourism and trade.

Pakistan, Bangladesh discuss overseas labor cooperation at Abu Dhabi Dialogue

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan signed a letter of intent (LoI) on&nbsp;Sunday to develop a digital wallet that will allow overseas workers in the United Arab Emirates to send remittances home at no cost, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. The Prime Minister&#39;s Youth Programme (PMYP) signed the LoI with Dellsons Associates Private Limited to create the platform, which will integrate with the government&#39;s Digital Youth Hub and target migrant workers in the UAE. PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan witnessed the ceremony at the Prime Minister&#39;s Office, joined by representatives from the Ministry of Finance, ONE LINK, and United Bank Limited. The Joint Secretary of PMYP, Dr Muhammad Ali Malik,&nbsp;and the Founder and Chairman of Dellsons Associates, Ibrahim Amin, &nbsp;attended with their teams. The proposed wallet will allow overseas Pakistanis in the UAE to send money through formal banking channels without transaction fees, officials said. The initiative seeks to ease financial access for migrant workers, enhance financial inclusion, and encourage documented remittance systems. Dellsons Associates, which operates in financial technology and maintains partnerships in the UAE, will handle design, development, deployment, and management of the wallet. Implementation will proceed in coordination with ONE LINK, United Bank Limited, and other stakeholders. The project will comply with regulatory requirements from both the Central Bank of the UAE and the State Bank of Pakistan, including anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, know-your-customer protocols, consumer protection, and cybersecurity standards, according to the agreement. The implementing partners will establish technological infrastructure, operational support systems, customer onboarding mechanisms, marketing programs, and UAE-based service centers. Officials said the partnership aligns with the prime minister&#39;s vision for a digital economy and supports PMYP&#39;s framework focused on education, employment, engagement, and environment. The collaboration is expected to boost formal remittance inflows, reduce dependence on informal transfer channels and contribute to Pakistan&#39;s economic stability.

Economy

The proposed wallet will allow overseas Pakistanis in the UAE to send money through formal banking channels without transaction fees.

Articles tagged with "overseas pakistanis"

Pakistan dismisses claims of 'targeted' deportations of citizens from UAE

Pakistan strengthens Kuwait labor ties ahead of crown prince visit

Pakistan, Bangladesh discuss overseas labor cooperation at Abu Dhabi Dialogue

Pakistan signs letter of intent for zero-cost remittances from workers in UAE