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Amidst the increasing tension in the Middle East, its impact is now clearly visible on the relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Amidst the ongoing unstable environment in the Gulf region, the news of UAE forcibly sending back about 2000 Pakistanis has increased the stir in the politics of Islamabad. There was a huge uproar on this issue in the Parliament of Pakistan and the opposition demanded answers from the government.

The matter is not limited to deportation only. Pakistan's opposition leaders allege that UAE also confiscated the money and belongings of these people. After this, the government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had to assure an investigation.

UAE issue echoed in Parliament

According to Pakistani media reports, as soon as the Parliament proceedings began, opposition MPs raised the issue of Pakistanis expelled from the UAE. The opposition alleged that these citizens were treated inhumanely and were deported without due process. After increasing pressure on the government, it has been announced that the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs will investigate the entire matter.

After all, why is UAE expelling Pakistanis?

According to Pakistan government data, about 1 lakh 64 thousand Pakistanis have been deported from various Arab countries in the last five years. Most of these people were evacuated from Saudi Arabia and UAE. The government says many of those deported had criminal charges. Some people were found involved in activities like begging, after which the UAE administration took action. However, this matter is not considered to be limited only to law and order. International reports claim that the UAE has also become alert about the potential risks related to security and espionage. Some reports also said that surveillance had been increased on some people of Pakistani Shia community.

Big blow to Pakistan's economy

Currently about 20 lakh Pakistani workers are working in UAE. These workers send billions of dollars to Pakistan every year, which is considered very important for the weak economy there. According to economic experts, if UAE gradually reduces the number of Pakistani workers, it can have a direct impact on Pakistan's foreign exchange earnings and employment system.

Why are Pakistan-UAE relations deteriorating?

UAE, once considered a close ally of Pakistan, now seems angry with Islamabad. According to political analysts, the current geo-politics of the Gulf region is the major reason behind this. It is being told that during the recent regional tension, Pakistan openly supported Saudi Arabia, while did not take a clear stand in favor of UAE. Abu Dhabi did not like this thing. Apart from this, Pakistan did not communicate adequately with UAE during efforts to achieve ceasefire. This is also being considered as the reason for the increasing distance in the relations between the two countries.

Pakistan stuck between debt and diplomacy

According to reports, UAE had also put pressure on Pakistan to repay its loan soon after the recent developments. Later Pakistan repaid this loan with the help of Saudi Arabia. Experts believe that Pakistan is currently trying to create a balance between the Gulf countries, but this strategy is becoming a challenge for it in the changing regional equations.

The Pakistan government is currently trying to handle this entire matter at the diplomatic level. But the way the debate on this issue has intensified from Parliament to the media, it is clear that in the coming days, more big political statements can be made regarding Pakistan-UAE relations. The rapidly changing equations in Gulf region politics are no longer limited to just the governments. This is also directly affecting the millions of migrant workers whose livelihood is linked to these countries.