ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official figures published by Pakistan’s federal government revealed that 21,951 Pakistani nationals were expelled from Gulf nations between March 1 and July 13, 2026. Data submitted to the National Assembly indicates that these deportations stemmed from violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug-related crimes, forged documents, and participation in organized begging networks. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over just four months, primarily for visa breaches and begging, underscores intensified immigration enforcement in the Middle East.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s written statement highlighted that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of repatriations, sending back 15,500 Pakistanis during this period. The United Arab Emirates deported 3,803 individuals, Oman 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those sent back, 4,628 were absconders, 1,294 had served prison sentences, and 472 were identified as beggars.
Statistics from the Ministry Detail Deportations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
These developments come amid increased scrutiny from Gulf Cooperation Council countries regarding immigration adherence and visa security. Records show that 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. Additionally, 968 Pakistanis have been officially 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 screening at domestic airports to prevent individuals from traveling abroad with forged documents or under false pretenses. Officials stressed that those attempting to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal labor or begging face lifelong travel bans. Authorities confirmed ongoing collaboration between local law enforcement and international agencies like Interpol to monitor and manage criminal deportations.
Over Three Thousand Pakistanis Deported from the UAE in Just Four Months
The official report states that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unclassified “others” category, with no specific offense details provided by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistani nationals were deported via Interpol channels specifically from the UAE. Other reasons for deportation included expired residency permits, border control refusals, theft, and attempts to travel onward using invalid or fraudulent identification documents.
Members of parliament voiced concerns over the consequences of these high deportation figures on Pakistan’s image abroad. They urged stricter supervision of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Government officials affirmed that ongoing monitoring will ensure that domestic emigration procedures remain aligned with international legal standards.