Pakistanis being expelled from Mideast over sectarian grounds, NA committee reveals
Hina Rabbani Khar calls reports of sect-based expulsions extremely worrying: Ambassadors from countries concerned give in-camera briefing to NA committee: Karachi police arrest relatives of Pakistanis held by Somali pirates for staging sit-in outside foriegn ministry
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs expressed serious concerns over the expulsion of Pakistani workers from Middle East countries over sectarian grounds.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the issue came to light during a meeting of the NA committee meeting held here in Islamabad on Monday.
The NA committee heard concerning reports that Pakistani workers are being expelled from Bahrain and other Middle Eastern countries on the basis of their religious sects.
Committee chairwoman Hina Rabbani Khar described the expulsion reports as extremely worrying.
Hina Khar also expressed strong anger over the sudden absence of the foreign secretary and the incomplete briefing provided by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She said Parliament and its committees must be treated seriously. If the foreign secretary had to attend a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, the committee should have been informed in advance.
“This is no way to work, to suddenly say that the foreign secretary will not attend,” she said.
Hina Khar said Pakistani workers were being expelled from Bahrain and several other Middle Eastern countries, with reports suggesting that some were being removed on the basis of their sect or religious group.
She said the reports were deeply concerning and asked officials to inform the committee if the relevant embassies wanted to provide a briefing behind closed doors.
Foreign Ministry officials told the committee that the expulsion of workers from Middle Eastern countries was an extremely sensitive matter.
On this occasion, at the ministry’s request, the meeting was therefore held in camera, and ambassadors from the countries concerned also briefed the committee on the matter.
Meanwhile, families and relatives of Pakistanis reportedly held hostage by Somali pirates staged a protest in Karachi and held a sit-in outside the Foreign Ministry office.
Karachi Police took action against the protesters outside the ministry, arresting several people and removing their belongings from the site.
Reporter: Babar Shahzad Turk