ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official figures released by Pakistan’s federal government have confirmed that 21,951 Pakistani nationals were deported from Gulf nations between March 1 and July 13, 2026. As per data presented to the National Assembly, these deportations resulted from multiple violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entry, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and participation in organized begging rings. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over a four-month period for visa breaches and begging reflects a tightening of immigration controls across the Middle East.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s official statement revealed that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of these repatriations, with 15,500 Pakistani nationals sent back during this period. The United Arab Emirates deported 3,803 individuals, Oman 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those repatriated, a notable number included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 serving prison sentences, and 472 identified specifically as beggars.
Details of Expulsions from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
These developments coincide with increased scrutiny from Gulf Cooperation Council states over immigration compliance and visa authenticity. According to official records, 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry, while the UAE and Oman repatriated 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar violations. The report also highlighted that 968 Pakistanis were blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases were related to direct administrative visa breaches.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up security checks at domestic airports to prevent individuals from traveling abroad with forged documents or under false pretenses. Officials stressed that those exploiting pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal labor or begging face permanent bans on international travel. Authorities also confirmed ongoing cooperation with international agencies like Interpol to manage criminal deportations effectively.
UAE Repatriates Over Three Thousand Nationals in Four Months
The official report specified that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unspecified “others” category, which lacked detailed offense classification by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE through Interpol channels specifically. Additional grounds for deportation included expired residency permits, refusals at border checks, theft, and attempts to travel onward using invalid or fraudulent identification documents.
Lawmakers voiced concern over the repercussions of these high deportation figures on Pakistan’s international reputation as a destination for overseas workers. They urged tighter regulation of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Government authorities reassured that ongoing monitoring will ensure that domestic emigration procedures remain aligned with global legal standards.