ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – The federal government of Pakistan has released official figures indicating that 21,951 Pakistani nationals were deported from Gulf nations between March 1 and July 13, 2026. These figures, shared with the National Assembly, reveal that the deportations stemmed from violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and involvement in organized begging networks. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over four months for visa violations and begging underscores a significant crackdown on immigration controls across the Middle East.
According to a written statement submitted by the Ministry for Narcotics Control, Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of deportations, with 15,500 Pakistani nationals expelled during this period. The United Arab Emirates deported 3,803 individuals, with Oman sending back 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. A notable portion of those repatriated included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 serving prison sentences, and 472 identified specifically as beggars.
Expulsions Recorded from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman by the Ministry
These developments coincide with increased attention from Gulf Cooperation Council countries concerning immigration adherence and visa authenticity. The ministry’s records show that 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry. The UAE and Oman repatriated 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar reasons. Further, 968 Pakistanis faced blacklisting, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related directly to administrative visa breaches.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up security checks at domestic airports to prevent travel attempts using forged documents or false pretenses. Officials stressed that those trying to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas to undertake illegal work or begging are subject to permanent bans on leaving the country. Coordinated efforts between domestic authorities and international organizations such as Interpol remain ongoing to manage criminal deportations.
Over Three Thousand Pakistanis Deported from the UAE in Four Months
The report highlighted that 6,662 Pakistani nationals were deported under an unspecified “others” category, with no detailed classification provided by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistani individuals were expelled from the UAE through Interpol channels. Additional grounds for removal included expired residency permits, refusals at border crossings, theft, and attempts to travel onward using invalid or fraudulent identification credentials.
Lawmakers voiced concerns about how these high deportation figures could impact Pakistan’s reputation abroad. They called for tighter regulation of private travel agencies and recruitment companies to prevent issuing fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Officials affirmed that monitoring measures will persist in ensuring that Pakistan’s emigration policies align with international legal standards.