ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official figures published by Pakistan’s federal government have confirmed that between March 1 and July 13, 2026, a total of 21,951 Pakistani nationals were sent back from Gulf nations. As presented to the National Assembly, these deportations stemmed from various violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug-related crimes, forged documents, and participation in organized begging networks. The fact that nearly 22,000 Pakistanis were expelled from Gulf countries over this four-month span, mainly due to visa breaches and begging, underscores a growing crackdown on immigration enforcement throughout the Middle East.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s official statement revealed that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of these deportations, with 15,500 Pakistani nationals expelled during the period. The United Arab Emirates deported 3,803 individuals, followed by Oman with 1,606, Bahrain with 521, Qatar with 429, and Kuwait with 97. A notable portion of the deported group included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served prison terms, and 472 persons specifically identified as beggars.
Details on Deportations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
These developments come amid increased oversight from Gulf Cooperation Council nations concerning immigration compliance and visa integrity. According to the records, 1,924 individuals were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry, while the UAE and Oman sent back 347 and 295 Pakistanis respectively for similar violations. Furthermore, 968 Pakistanis have been officially blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related directly to administrative visa infringements.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up efforts at domestic airports to detect individuals attempting to travel abroad with forged documents or under false pretenses. Officials stressed that those trying to exploit pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal labor or begging face a permanent ban on future travel. Authorities also highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts with international organizations such as Interpol to handle criminal deportations effectively.
UAE Sends Over Three Thousand Pakistanis Back in Four Months
The report also specified that 6,662 Pakistani nationals were deported under an unspecified “others” category, where detailed reasons for removal were not provided by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were deported specifically 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 identity documents.
Members of parliament voiced concerns over the repercussions these high deportation figures might have on Pakistan’s international reputation, especially regarding overseas workers. They urged increased scrutiny of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. The government confirmed that ongoing monitoring will continue to ensure that domestic emigration procedures adhere to international legal standards.