ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Data published by Pakistan’s federal government confirms that a total of 21,951 Pakistani citizens were sent back from Gulf nations between March 1 and July 13, 2026. Official reports to the National Assembly reveal that these deportations stemmed from violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and participation in organized begging networks. The removal of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over this period highlights a tightening of immigration enforcement across the Middle East, largely due to visa violations and begging issues.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s official statement specified that Saudi Arabia accounted for the majority of deportations, with 15,500 Pakistanis expelled during the four-month 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 identified as beggars.
Ministry Data Highlights Deportations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
These developments come amid increased Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) scrutiny regarding immigration compliance and visa integrity. The records from the ministry showed that 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry. The UAE and Oman expelled 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar reasons. Furthermore, 968 Pakistanis have been blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related to direct administrative visa violations.
The Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan has ramped up airport screening at home to prevent individuals from traveling abroad using forged documents or false pretenses. Officials stressed that those attempting to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal work or begging will face permanent bans from traveling. Authorities also highlighted ongoing cooperation with international agencies such as Interpol to handle criminal deportations effectively.
Over Three Thousand Pakistanis Deported from UAE within Four Months
The report indicated that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unspecified category labeled “others,” where the interior ministry did not specify the offenses. Nine Pakistanis were deported via Interpol channels specifically from the UAE. Other reasons for deportation included expired residence permits, border entry refusals, theft, and attempts to travel onward using invalid or fraudulent identity documents.
Lawmakers raised concerns about the repercussions of these high deportation figures on the international reputation of Pakistani workers abroad. They called for stricter oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Officials confirmed that measures to monitor and regulate emigration will continue to ensure compliance with international legal standards.