Pakistan Ambassador Visits Family of Pakistani Killed by Missile Debris in Abu Dhabi

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, Shafqat Ali Khan, visited the family of Ismail Saleem Khan, a Pakistani national killed in Abu Dhabi on March 17, 2026, to offer condolences and assure them of the embassy's full support.

Ismail Saleem Khan died after debris from an intercepted ballistic missile fell in the Baniyas area of Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed the fatality, stating that air defense systems had successfully intercepted the incoming missile but that the resulting shrapnel caused the fatal incident. The embassy extended condolences on behalf of the Government of Pakistan and joined the family in offering Fatiha.

The Pakistan Embassy said it was in close coordination with UAE local authorities to extend all possible support to the bereaved family and to facilitate the repatriation process at the earliest.

At Least Three Pakistanis Killed in UAE Since Iranian Strikes Began

Ismail Saleem Khan's death is the latest in a series of casualties among Pakistani nationals in the UAE since Iran began launching missile and drone attacks on Gulf states. The broader conflict was triggered by coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, 2026.

The first Pakistani killed was Murib Zaman Nizar, 44, a driver from Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who died on February 28 when falling missile debris struck the building he was inside in Abu Dhabi. He was saving money to build a home for his family and had sent funds home days before his death so his five children could buy Eid clothes. A third Pakistani national was killed on March 7 in a separate incident.

Since Iranian attacks began, UAE air defenses have intercepted more than 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and over 1,600 drones, according to official figures. The total death toll in the UAE has risen to eight, including two Emirati military pilots and civilians of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, and Palestinian nationalities.

Pakistani nationals make up one of the largest expatriate communities in the UAE, with millions employed across sectors including construction, transport, and services.

The Pakistan Embassy has urged families to follow official guidance and safety alerts issued by UAE authorities as the regional situation continues.