The Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), Islamabad, has highlighted strict social media laws and penalties enforced in the United Arab Emirates, warning Pakistani nationals to exercise caution while using online platforms in the host country.
According to the advisory, posting or sharing any content harmful to women or children is prohibited. This includes material related to human trafficking, obscenity, prostitution, or any act that violates public morals and social values in the UAE.
Under the UAE cybercrime law, such offences can result in imprisonment ranging from one to five years, along with fines between AED 250,000 and AED 1,000,000. Authorities have emphasized that digital activities are closely monitored and violations are treated as criminal offences.
The advisory notes that in the current digital environment, online content does not remain hidden. Even unintentional sharing, forwarding, or uploading of material that undermines the dignity of women or the innocence of children may lead to criminal liability under UAE law.
The Bureau has urged Pakistanis living abroad to comply with the laws of the host country and maintain responsible conduct on social media. It stressed that involvement in such offences not only leads to legal consequences but also harms the individual’s family and the country’s reputation internationally.
