In the rural district of Chakwal, Pakistan, more than 100 Shi’ite Muslims have returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) without jobs or access to their savings. These individuals are part of a larger group of potentially thousands deported during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, raising concerns within Pakistan’s Shi’ite community.

Deportations Amid Conflict

Reports indicate that the deportations have increased since the conflict began, with Iran launching missile and drone strikes on the UAE. The criteria for selecting deportees remain unclear, as UAE authorities have not commented on the matter. Pakistan’s interior ministry stated that deportations were not based on sectarian lines but rather on violations of UAE regulations.

A senior Pakistani official noted that the government is reviewing the situation, although diplomatic sensitivities have prevented open discussions. Human Rights Watch has expressed alarm over the deportations and is investigating the allegations.

Impact on Pakistani Shi’ites

Pakistan is home to the world’s second-largest Shi’ite population, with approximately 40 million people. The deportations have significantly impacted families who relied on remittances from relatives working in the UAE. Many deportees, like Ali Ahmed Naqvi and his wife, who worked in Dubai’s technology sector, found themselves suddenly without employment or the ability to retrieve their belongings.

In Chakwal, a former Dubai Metro manager recounted being detained and deported without explanation. Similar stories have emerged from Pakistan’s Kurram district, where community leaders report that 1,500 residents have been deported, many of whom supported extended families.

The situation underscores the broader tensions between Sunni-ruled Gulf states and Shi’ite communities, with deportees facing uncertain futures as they attempt to rebuild their lives in Pakistan.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.