ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official figures issued by Pakistan’s federal government confirm that 21,951 Pakistani citizens were expelled from Gulf nations between March 1 and July 13, 2026. The data presented to the National Assembly reveal these deportations resulted from various violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and participation in organized begging networks. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over four months for visa breaches and begging underscores a growing crackdown on immigration in the Middle East.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control provided a written statement indicating that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of repatriations, deporting 15,500 Pakistani nationals within this period. The United Arab Emirates expelled 3,803 individuals, Oman sent back 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those repatriated, a notable group included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who served prison sentences, and 472 identified as beggars.
Ministry Data Outlines Deportations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
These updates come amid increased attention from Gulf Cooperation Council nations regarding immigration compliance and visa security. According to ministry records, 1,924 Pakistanis were expelled from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry. The UAE and Oman deported 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar reasons. In addition, 968 Pakistanis have been officially blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related directly to administrative visa violations.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has stepped up airport screening efforts to intercept travelers using forged documents or false claims. Officials stressed that those attempting to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal labor or begging face lifetime bans on travel. Authorities also highlighted ongoing cooperation with international agencies like Interpol to manage criminal deportations effectively.
UAE Sends Back Over Three Thousand Nationals in Four Months
The official report indicated that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unspecified “others” category, where the specific offenses were not detailed by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were expelled from the UAE through Interpol channels. Additional grounds for removal included expired residency permits, border entry refusals, theft, and attempts to travel further using invalid or fraudulent identity documents.
Members of parliament voiced concerns about the repercussions of these high deportation figures on Pakistan’s international reputation 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. Officials confirmed that efforts to monitor and align domestic emigration procedures with international legal standards will continue.