Pakistanis are ‘Dangerous,’ Indians ‘Disciplined,’ Says Dubai Security Official

A top security official in Dubai has kicked off a controversy following a series of tweets on April 1, in which he said that Pakistanis are a “dangerous” threat to the societies of Gulf while Indians are “disciplined.”

While the comments, posted by Dhahi Khalfan, the Lieutenant General and Head of General Security in Dubai, were extensively reported in India, Pakistanis were furious at the attack. Khalfan also criticized Bangladeshis in his tweets.

Khalfan tweeted the remarks after a gang of Pakistanis was caught for smuggling drugs. The posts were in Arabic and published from his verified handle @Dhahi_ Khalfan. He said: “Pakistanis pose a serious threat to the Gulf societies because they bring drugs to (our) countries.”

يشكل الباكستانيون تهديدا خطيرا للمجتمعات الخليجية لما يجلبوه من مخدرات معهم إلى دولنا..يجب التشديد عليهم بإجراءات صارمة في المنافذ… pic.twitter.com/LTCj5OW98m

— ضاحي خلفان تميم (@Dhahi_Khalfan) April 1, 2018

He also posted a picture of three alleged Pakistani smugglers standing before a drug haul. Khalfan tweeted to his 2.66 million followers that it was a “national necessity” to “stop the recruitment of Pakistani labor.”

He also tweeted saying: “Why are Indians disciplined while sedition, criminality and smuggling in the Pakistani community are rampant?”

Khalfan further suggested that Pakistanis should be subjected to increased inspection, similar to what Bangladeshis face, “because of the criminal tendencies.”

He added: “We became strict with the Bengalis because of the criminal tendencies they have shown. Pakistanis must be placed under an increased level of inspection.” Bangladeshis are referred to as Bengalis colloquially. He further said, “It is now a national duty to stop hiring Pakistanis.”

Many people from Pakistan responded to the tweets, saying that the broad generalization was unfair just because a few drug smugglers caught were Pakistan nationals. The security official has previously posted (in Arabic) comments against the President of Turkey and Qatar, entities with whom the United Arab Emirates has a faltering relationship.

The recent statement is inconsolable for every single Pakistani Citizen. I myself being a Pakistani Citizen always loved and supported UAE and i will. Generalizing a whole community for the mistakes of few is not farsightedness.

— Oktam (@sherqilla) April 2, 2018

In 2017, the UAE’s drug control agencies seized around 61.6 tonnes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the Khaleej Times reported Khalfan as saying on March 28.

“Police and anti-narcotics forces in the UAE made great efforts in addressing the scourge, arresting miscreants behind drug smuggling bids and handing them to justice,” he said. “We should develop plans and analytical studies that contribute to apprehending drug dealers and smugglers before entering the country.”