ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official figures published by Pakistan’s federal government confirm that a total of 21,951 Pakistani citizens were expelled from Gulf nations between March 1 and July 13, 2026. As per data presented to the National Assembly, these deportations resulted from a variety of violations including visa overstays, illegal entries, drug-related crimes, counterfeit documents, and involvement in organized begging networks. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over this four-month span due to visa breaches and begging underscores a growing crackdown on immigration violations across the Middle East.
A written statement from the Ministry for Narcotics Control outlined that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of deportations, sending back 15,500 Pakistani nationals within this period. The UAE repatriated 3,803 individuals, Oman 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those deported, a notable group included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served prison terms, and 472 individuals identified specifically as beggars.
Ministry Data Shows Deportations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
These figures come amid increased attention from Gulf Cooperation Council nations regarding immigration law compliance and visa integrity. Records indicate that Saudi Arabia deported 1,924 persons for overstaying or illegal entry, while the UAE and Oman expelled 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar violations. Furthermore, 968 Pakistanis have been officially blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved passports reported as lost, and 689 cases related to direct administrative visa breaches.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up airport screening procedures to prevent travel using forged documents or false pretenses. Officials stressed that those attempting to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal work or begging face lifetime bans on travel. Authorities also highlighted ongoing cooperation with international agencies like Interpol to manage criminal deportations effectively.
UAE Responsible for Over Three Thousand Deportations in Recent Months
The official report states that 6,662 Pakistani nationals were deported under an unclassified “others” category, with the interior ministry not providing specific offense details. Nine individuals were deported through Interpol channels. Additional reasons for removal included expired residency permits, border entry refusals, theft, and attempts to travel onward with invalid or fraudulent identities.
Members of parliament voiced concerns about how these high deportation figures could affect Pakistan’s reputation abroad, especially for overseas workers. They urged stricter oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Authorities assured that measures to monitor and align domestic emigration processes with international standards will continue to be enforced.