Etihad Reportedly Terminates 15 Pakistanis
Etihad Airways has reportedly terminated 15 Pakistani employees in Abu Dhabi and issued them a 48-hour order to leave the UAE, raising concern among expatriate workers and adding fresh pressure on Pakistan’s already strained diplomatic and economic position in the Gulf.
Etihad Pakistani Employees Face 48-Hour Exit Order
The affected employees were reportedly called to an immigration office instead of being informed through the airline’s usual human resources process. They were then handed orders requiring them to leave the United Arab Emirates within 48 hours.
The group reportedly includes experienced aviation professionals, including one employee who had worked with the airline for nearly two decades. The short exit window has left the workers with limited time to arrange finances, travel plans, family relocation and other immediate requirements.
UAE Action Raises Concern Among Pakistani Workers
Etihad has not publicly issued a detailed explanation for the reported action. While job cuts and restructuring are not unusual in the aviation industry, the reported involvement of immigration authorities and the short deadline have created concern among Pakistan’s expatriate community in the UAE.
Pakistani workers have long formed a significant part of the Gulf labour market. Many families in Pakistan depend on remittances from overseas workers, making such developments economically sensitive for Islamabad.
Pakistan-UAE Ties Under Fresh Scrutiny
The incident comes at a time when Pakistan is facing serious economic challenges and remains dependent on financial support, remittances and diplomatic partnerships in the Gulf region.
The reported termination of Pakistani employees has therefore triggered wider discussion on Islamabad’s standing in the UAE and the treatment of Pakistani workers abroad. With no official clarification yet from Etihad on the reasons behind the move, the episode remains under close watch.
