ISLAMABAD: Pakistani officials on Thursday said Pakistan’s relations with the UAE remained unaffected by any external engagements the Gulf state may have, expressing confidence in the strength of bilateral ties.

In its weekly briefing, the Foreign Office said the relationship was based on mutual trust, adding that this sentiment was also shared in Abu Dhabi.

“Pakistan-UAE relations are strong, brotherly, built on strong foundation. We have 2.2 million-strong diaspora in the UAE. We have traditionally been friendly and cooperative in all affairs. We have a trade close to $8 billion, said FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi during the weekly press briefing.

He further said that there is “absolutely no question” of any negative aspersions with respect to relations between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi.

State minister for interior, FO spox insist ties remain ‘unaffected by any external engagements the Gulf state may have’

Meanwhile, speaking in the National Assembly, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said that Pakistan-UAE ties were “absolutely fine”.

Mr Chaudhry was responding to concerns raised by several lawmakers regarding the deportation of Pakistanis from the Gulf country. In recent days, several reports have emerged of a large-scale expulsion of Pakistani workers, particularly Shias, signalling a shift in Pakistan-UAE relations.

The interior ministry has previously denied the claims.

“I don’t know why people are intent on building a narrative against a country that people from there are being deported based on sectarian differences,” the state minister said on Thursday.

“There is no such thing. The government has categorically denied this. Our ties with the UAE are absolutely fine,” he said.

He went on to say that for this month, the highest amount of remittances was received from Saudi Arabia, followed by the UAE.

“We should not be jumping to conclusions regarding countries,” the state minister said, warning that it could impact “future ties”. However, he asserted that “if there are any complaints, we will address them”, vowing that the government viewed Pakistanis of “all sects and colours” as equal.

Responding to remarks of Sher Afzal Marwat, Mr Chaudhry said that it has become a “fashion” to make headlines to criticise Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and stressed that issues should instead be assessed on facts and performance.

Mr Marwat referred to his recent visit to UAE and claimed that Pakistanis were facing difficult conditions there.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026