ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – According to official statistics issued by Pakistan’s federal government, a total of 21,951 Pakistani citizens were sent back from Gulf nations from March 1 to July 13, 2026. The figures, presented to the National Assembly, reveal that these deportations stemmed from violations such as visa overstays, illegal entries, drug-related crimes, counterfeit documents, and participation in organized begging syndicates. The expulsion of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over four months for visa breaches and begging underscores a tightening of immigration controls across the Middle East.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s official statement highlighted that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of these deportations, with 15,500 Pakistanis expelled during this period. The United Arab Emirates repatriated 3,803 individuals, Oman sent back 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those deported, a notable group included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served time in prison, and 472 identified specifically as beggars.
Nearly 22,000 Pakistanis Sent Back from Gulf Nations Amid Immigration Crackdowns
These developments coincide with increased scrutiny from Gulf Cooperation Council countries regarding immigration compliance and visa security. Records from the ministry indicate that 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry. Similarly, the UAE and Oman expelled 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar reasons. Furthermore, 968 Pakistanis were blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related to direct administrative visa violations.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has stepped up screening at domestic airports to prevent individuals from traveling abroad on forged documents or false pretenses. Officials emphasized that those attempting to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal labor or begging face permanent bans on travel. Authorities also confirmed ongoing cooperation with international agencies like Interpol to handle criminal deportations effectively.
Saudi Arabia Leads Gulf Countries in Pakistani Deportations
The report further stated that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unspecified “others” category, where the interior ministry did not specify the reasons for removal. Nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE specifically through Interpol. Additional grounds for deportation included expired residency permits, refusals at border crossings, theft charges, and attempting to travel onward with invalid or fraudulent identification documents.
Members of parliament expressed concern about the repercussions of these high deportation figures on Pakistan’s international reputation for overseas workers. Lawmakers urged for stricter oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Government officials assured that measures will continue to be enforced to ensure domestic emigration practices meet international legal standards.