ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – The Pakistan’s federal government has confirmed through official statistics that a total of 21,951 Pakistani citizens were deported from Gulf countries between March 1 and July 13, 2026. Presented to the National Assembly, these figures reveal that the deportations stemmed from a range of violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entry, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and participation in organized begging networks. The large number of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis deported within just four months underscores a tightening of immigration enforcement efforts across the Middle East region.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s official statement highlighted that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of these repatriations, with 15,500 Pakistani nationals expelled during this period. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 3,803 deportations, while Oman saw 1,606 individuals sent back. Bahrain deported 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those repatriated, a notable subset included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served prison sentences, and 472 identified as beggars.
Mass Deportations of Pakistanis from Gulf States Follow Immigration Crackdowns
These figures come amid increased vigilance by Gulf Cooperation Council nations concerning immigration compliance and visa security. According to government records, 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entries. The UAE and Oman also 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 related to direct administrative visa breaches.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has strengthened security measures at domestic airports to detect attempts by individuals traveling abroad with forged documents or under false pretenses. Officials stressed that those trying to exploit pilgrimage or tourist visas to engage in illegal labor or begging will face lifetime bans on travel. Authorities continue active coordination with international agencies like Interpol to manage criminal deportations effectively.
Saudi Arabia Leads in Deporting Pakistani Nationals from Gulf Countries
The official report specifies that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an undetailed “others” category, with no specific offense classifications provided by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistani nationals were deported from the UAE through Interpol channels. Other reasons for removal included expired residency permits, refusals at border crossings, theft, and attempts to travel onward using invalid or fraudulent identification documents.
Members of parliament voiced concerns over how these high numbers of deportees might affect Pakistan’s reputation among overseas workers. Lawmakers advocated for increased oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. The government confirmed that efforts to monitor and regulate emigration procedures will continue to ensure compliance with international legal standards.