Etihad fires 15 Pakistanis, gives 48-hour exit order: UAE signals tougher stance on Islamabad

A SUDDEN move by Etihad Airways to terminate 15 Pakistani employees in Abu Dhabi has triggered concern among expatriates and raised uncomfortable questions about Pakistan’s standing in the Gulf. According to CNN-News18, the dismissals were executed with unusual speed and without the standard corporate processes typically followed in such cases.

The development comes at a time when Pakistan is already grappling with economic fragility and growing dependence on foreign partners. Incidents like t...

Sources cited by CNN-News18 indicate that the affected employees were not formally notified through human resources channels. Instead, they were reportedly called to an immigration office and handed orders to leave the United Arab Emirates within 48 hours.

The group includes experienced professionals, including one individual who had served the airline for nearly two decades. The short deadline has left them with little room to manage finances, arrange travel, or relocate their families.

Such abrupt enforcement has amplified concerns within the Pakistani expatriate community, many of whom rely heavily on Gulf jobs for financial stability.

No clarity from Etihad

Etihad Airways has not publicly explained the reasons behind the move. While workforce restructuring is not unusual in the aviation sector, the involvement of immigration authorities and the immediacy of the deportation orders suggest that this may not be a routine corporate decision.

The absence of transparency has only fuelled speculation and unease.

Diplomatic signals hard to ignore

Analysts quoted by CNN-News18 view the episode as more than an isolated labour issue. It is being interpreted as a sign of cooling ties between the UAE and Pakistan.

The manner in which the dismissals were carried out has been described as indicative of a tougher stance from Abu Dhabi. For Pakistan, which depends significantly on remittances from overseas workers, such developments could carry broader economic implications.

A worrying trend for Pakistan

For years, Pakistani workers have formed a large part of the Gulf workforce. However, incidents like this highlight a shifting dynamic where Islamabad appears to have limited leverage.

The episode serves as a reminder that Pakistan’s economic vulnerabilities are increasingly translating into diplomatic and social costs for its citizens abroad.