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Safety, security top priority, says Pakistan ambassador to UAE
The ambassador's statement follows the deaths of two Pakistani nationals in Iranian missile and drone strikes in the UAE since February 28, 2026.
- PUBLISHED: Sun 8 Mar 2026, 5:02 PM
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The safety and security of Pakistanis living in the UAE remain a top priority amid the ongoing regional military conflict, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, Shafqat Ali Khan, said.
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“Due to the ongoing regional geopolitical situation, I assure you that the safety and security of the Pakistani community is our top priority. I also assure our Emirati brothers and sisters that we stand with them in these challenging times,” Khan said in a special message released on Sunday.
The statement follows the deaths of two Pakistani nationals in Iranian missile and drone strikes in the UAE.
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Since the outbreak of the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, Tehran has been launching missiles and drones towards the UAE and other Gulf countries.
The first Pakistani citizen died in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. Another lost his life in Dubai’s Al Barsha area on Saturday when debris from an aerial interception fell onto his vehicle.
According to authorities, 112 cases of minor and moderate injuries were registered among Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian, and Turkish nationals.
“We are profoundly saddened to confirm that a Pakistani national lost his life yesterday in Dubai's Al Barsha area due to falling debris following the interception of an incoming missile. Our Consulate General in Dubai is in direct contact with local authorities to assist the family and facilitate the repatriation process as quickly as possible. In this hour of grief, we share in the family’s pain and offer our most sincere prayers,” the Pakistani mission said in a statement on Sunday.
The ambassador added that Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in the UAE – the embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai – are ready to assist nationals throughout the week.
“We have set up a helpline desk to provide any kind of assistance and service required 24x7,” Khan said in his message.
More than 1.7 million Pakistanis live and work in the UAE. They account for over 15 per cent of the country’s population and are the second-largest expatriate community in the Emirates.
Ambassador Khan also noted that the embassy and consulate are in constant contact with UAE authorities to support the community.
“I request all members of the Pakistani community not to trust rumours or fake news and to rely only on information from official channels. I also urge the responsible use of social media,” he said, while encouraging the community to follow all local laws and regulations.
“We must face this challenge responsibly and with patience. Pakistan’s embassy and consulate in the UAE are always readily available to provide any assistance,” the ambassador concluded.
