ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official data published by Pakistan’s federal government confirmed that between March 1 and July 13, 2026, a total of 21,951 Pakistani nationals were sent back from Gulf nations. The figures presented to the National Assembly reveal that the deportations resulted from various violations, including overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and involvement in organized begging rings. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over four months due to visa breaches and begging underscores a tightening of immigration controls across the Middle East.
A written statement from the Ministry for Narcotics Control detailed that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of the repatriations, with 15,500 Pakistanis expelled during this period. The United Arab Emirates sent back 3,803 individuals, Oman 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those repatriated, 4,628 were absconders, 1,294 had served prison sentences, and 472 were specifically identified as beggars.
Details from Ministry Data on Deportations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
These legal updates come amid increased scrutiny from Gulf Cooperation Council countries concerning immigration compliance and visa authenticity. The Ministry’s records show that 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry. The UAE and Oman repatriated 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar violations. Additionally, 968 Pakistanis have been blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related to direct administrative visa breaches.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up screening procedures at domestic airports to prevent individuals from traveling abroad with forged documents or false pretenses. Officials highlighted that those attempting to exploit pilgrimage or tourist visas to engage in illegal work or begging risk a permanent travel ban. Authorities stressed that coordinated efforts with domestic law enforcement and international organizations like Interpol remain ongoing to address criminal deportations.
Over 3,000 Pakistani Nationals Removed from the UAE in Four Months
The report notes that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unspecified “others” category, where detailed reasons for removal were not provided by the interior ministry. Nine of these Pakistanis were deported through Interpol channels. Other causes for deportation included expired residency permits, refusals at border crossings, theft, and attempts to travel further using invalid or fraudulent identification documents.
Members of parliament expressed concerns over the impact of these high deportation figures on Pakistan’s international image as a source of overseas workers. They called for enhanced oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Official agencies confirmed that monitoring efforts will continue to ensure that domestic emigration processes align with international legal standards.
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