ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official data issued by Pakistan’s federal government verified that a total of 21,951 Pakistani citizens were deported from Gulf nations between March 1 and July 13, 2026. As per the figures submitted to the National Assembly, these deportations were driven by various violations such as overstaying visas, illegal border crossings, drug-related crimes, counterfeit documentation, and participation in organized begging networks. The removal of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over this four-month period for visa breaches and begging underscores the increasing strictness of immigration enforcement in the Middle East.
A written report from the Ministry for Narcotics Control revealed that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the largest share of deportations, with 15,500 Pakistanis expelled during this period. The United Arab Emirates deported 3,803 people, followed by Oman with 1,606, Bahrain with 521, Qatar with 429, and Kuwait with 97. Among those sent back, a notable portion included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served jail terms, and 472 specifically identified as beggars.
Details of Deportations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
These official figures come amid heightened attention from Gulf Cooperation Council countries regarding immigration laws and visa security. The records show that 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry. The UAE and Oman respectively sent back 347 and 295 individuals for similar reasons. Moreover, 968 Pakistanis faced blacklisting, 1,155 cases involved passports that were lost, and 689 cases related directly to administrative visa violations.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has stepped up screening procedures at domestic airports to catch travelers attempting to leave on forged documents or false pretenses. Officials stressed that those trying to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal work or begging face permanent bans from future travel. Authorities highlighted ongoing collaboration between local law enforcement and international agencies like Interpol to effectively manage criminal deportations and related border security issues.
UAE Sends Over Three Thousand Citizens Back Home in Four Months
The official report indicated that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unspecified category labeled “others,” where specific offense details were not disclosed by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE specifically via Interpol channels. Additional grounds for repatriation included expired residency permits, refusals at border checkpoints, theft, and attempts to travel further using invalid or fraudulent identification documents.
Members of parliament voiced concern over the repercussions of these high deportation figures on Pakistan’s international reputation, especially regarding overseas workers. They urged for tighter oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Government officials confirmed that measures to monitor and regulate emigration processes will be maintained to ensure alignment with international legal standards.