ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – According to official figures published by Pakistan’s federal government, a total of 21,951 Pakistani nationals were sent back from Gulf nations between March 1 and July 13, 2026. The data, presented to the National Assembly, indicates these deportations resulted from violations such as overstaying visas, illegal crossings, drug-related crimes, counterfeit documents, and involvement in organized begging rings. The return of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over just four months highlights the region’s increasingly strict immigration checks for visa and begging violations.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s official statement revealed that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of the deportations, removing 15,500 Pakistanis during this period. The United Arab Emirates followed with 3,803 deported individuals, while Oman expelled 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those repatriated, 4,628 were absconders, 1,294 had served prison sentences, and 472 were identified specifically as beggars.
Regional Immigration Crackdowns Lead to Nearly 22,000 Pakistanis Returning from Gulf Countries
These developments come amid increased vigilance by Gulf Cooperation Council states over immigration compliance and visa security. Records show that 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry, while the UAE and Oman deported 347 and 295 individuals, respectively, for similar reasons. Additionally, 968 Pakistanis were blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related to direct visa violations by administrative procedures.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up airport screening to intercept individuals attempting to leave the country with forged documents or false identities. Authorities stressed that those misusing pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal labor or begging will face lifelong travel bans. Efforts between domestic law enforcement and international agencies like Interpol remain ongoing to prevent criminal deportations and safeguard border security.
Saudi Arabia Leads Gulf Repatriation Figures, Dominating the Deportation Data
The official report states that 6,662 Pakistani nationals were deported under an ambiguous “others” category, where specific offenses were not detailed by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE via Interpol channels. Additional causes for deportation included expired residency permits, border entry refusals, theft, and attempts to travel onward using invalid or fraudulent identification documents.
Members of parliament voiced concern over how these high deportation figures could affect Pakistan’s international reputation among overseas workers. Lawmakers urged tighter oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment agencies to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Government authorities assured that ongoing monitoring efforts will continue to ensure that domestic emigration processes conform to international legal standards.