ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official data published by Pakistan’s federal government has confirmed that 21,951 Pakistani nationals were expelled from Gulf nations from March 1 to July 13, 2026. As detailed in figures presented to the National Assembly, these deportations were driven by a range of violations including overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug-related crimes, falsified documents, and involvement in organized begging networks. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over this four-month span for visa breaches and begging underscores a growing crackdown on immigration in the Middle East.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s official statement revealed that Saudi Arabia was responsible for most of the repatriations, sending back 15,500 Pakistani nationals during this period. The United Arab Emirates deported 3,803 people, Oman 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those deported were 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served prison sentences, and 472 identified as beggars.
Details of Deportations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman Provided by Ministry Data
The updates come amid increased scrutiny from Gulf Cooperation Council nations regarding immigration compliance and visa law enforcement. According to records from the ministry, 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entries. The UAE and Oman repatriated 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar violations. Additionally, 968 Pakistanis were officially 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 measures at domestic airports to catch travelers attempting to go abroad using forged documents or false pretenses. Officials emphasized that those who try to exploit pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal labor or begging will face permanent bans on travel. Authorities highlighted ongoing coordination between domestic law enforcement and international agencies like Interpol to handle criminal deportations effectively.
Over 3,000 Pakistanis Deported from the United Arab Emirates in Four Months
The official report states that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unclassified “others” category, as the interior ministry did not specify the exact offenses. Nine Pakistanis were deported through Interpol channels specifically from the UAE. Other reasons for deportation included expired residency permits, refusals at border control, theft, and attempts to travel onward using invalid or fraudulent identity documents.
Members of parliament voiced concerns about the repercussions of such high deportation numbers on Pakistan’s international reputation among overseas workers. They urged stricter oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. The government confirmed that monitoring measures will persist in aligning domestic emigration policies with global legal standards.