The UAE Consul General in Karachi has issued a stern warning to individuals residing in the UAE who engage in propaganda against Pakistan. He emphasized that those spreading misinformation or making false statements about their home country and its institutions on social media will face severe consequences.
The Consul General cautioned the Pakistani community in the UAE and Gulf countries to be mindful of their online activities. He highlighted that spreading false rumors is strictly prohibited and can lead to immediate repercussions.
According to the Consul General, several individuals have already faced harsh penalties, with four to five people receiving life sentences, ten to fifteen others receiving 14-year sentences, and many being expelled from the country.
He also reminded people that their social media activity, including likes and shares, is tracked and remains in their account history. This could impact future visa applications, as past online behavior could result in being denied entry to the UAE.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed severe prison sentences on 57 Bangladeshi nationals who participated in protests against their own government’s policies.
According to state media reports, the sentences reflect the UAE’s stringent stance on public demonstrations, with three of the defendants receiving life imprisonment for “inciting riots” in various streets across the UAE.
The remaining 54 individuals were sentenced to 10 years in prison each, while one person received an 11-year sentence.
During the trial, which concluded on Sunday, the defense lawyer contended that the protests were not intended to be criminal and argued that the evidence against the defendants was inadequate.
Despite these arguments, the UAE court upheld the harsh sentences, reflecting the country’s severe approach to managing dissent.
Amnesty International has denounced the UAE’s “extreme reaction” to the protests, describing the punishments as disproportionate and an overreaction by the authorities.
The organization criticized the UAE for its strict prohibition of protests, noting that foreign nationals make up nearly 90% of the UAE’s population, with Bangladeshis being the third largest expatriate group.
