ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official statistics issued by Pakistan’s federal government reveal that 21,951 Pakistani citizens were expelled from Gulf nations from March 1 through July 13, 2026. The figures, presented to the National Assembly, attribute these deportations to a range of violations including overstaying visas, illegal entry, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and participation in organized begging rings. The nearly 22,000 Pakistanis deported in this four-month span for visa breaches and begging underscores a rising trend of stricter immigration enforcement across the Middle East.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s written statement highlighted that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of the repatriations, with 15,500 Pakistanis sent back during this period. The United Arab Emirates expelled 3,803 individuals, followed by Oman with 1,606 deportations, Bahrain with 521, Qatar with 429, and Kuwait with 97. Among those sent back, a notable segment included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served prison sentences, and 472 individuals identified specifically as beggars.
Nearly 22,000 Pakistanis Sent Back from Gulf Countries Amid Immigration Crackdowns
The recent updates come in a context of increased Gulf Cooperation Council scrutiny over immigration adherence and visa integrity. Records from the ministry indicate that 1,924 people were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry, with the UAE and Oman repatriating 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar reasons. Furthermore, 968 Pakistanis have been officially blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases were related to direct administrative visa violations.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has stepped up airport screening measures to intercept travelers attempting to leave on forged documents or false pretenses. Officials stressed that those trying to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal labor or begging face permanent bans on travel. Authorities also highlighted ongoing coordination with international bodies such as Interpol to handle criminal deportations effectively.
Saudi Arabia Contributes Most Significantly to Gulf Repatriation Numbers
According to the official report, 6,662 Pakistani nationals were deported under an ambiguous “others” category, with no specific offense classifications provided by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE specifically via Interpol channels. Additional grounds for removal ranged from expired residency permits, border control refusals, theft, to attempts at onward travel using invalid or fraudulent identity credentials.
Members of parliament voiced concern about the negative impact these high deportation figures could have on Pakistan’s international reputation, especially for overseas workers. Lawmakers called for enhanced oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Officials confirmed that monitoring initiatives will persist to ensure that domestic emigration procedures comply with international legal standards.