Kamal Ghorui
Pakistan’s attempts to position itself as a mediator in the escalating Iran conflict appear to have triggered an unexpected diplomatic fallout with the United Arab Emirates, with reports emerging of large-scale deportations of Pakistani workers from the Gulf state, as per the New York Times.The tensions appear linked to Pakistan’s role in helping broker talks between the United States and Iran after weeks of conflict in the Gulf. Analysts quoted in reports suggested the UAE was frustrated by what it viewed as Islamabad’s unwillingness to strongly condemn Iranian attacks targeting Emirati territory.According to interviews conducted by The New York Times with Pakistani workers and community leaders, thousands of Pakistani Shiites may have been expelled from the Emirates in recent weeks. Many claimed they were detained without explanation before being deported. The UAE has not publicly commented on the allegations, while Pakistan has denied that any mass deportation campaign is taking place.The issue has raised concerns in Pakistan because remittances from the UAE remain a major economic lifeline. More than two million Pakistanis live and work in the Emirates, sending back over $8 billion last year alone.Pakistani Shiite leaders say the deportations disproportionately targeted members of their community, many of whom have religious and cultural ties with Iran. Community organisations estimate that thousands of families may have been affected since mid-April.The allegations have surfaced as US President Donald Trump signalled that Washington may revive “Project Freedom”, a maritime security initiative designed to protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz if negotiations with Iran collapse. Trump said the operation could return in an expanded form, dubbed “Project Freedom plus”, amid continuing instability in the Gulf.
