ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Amidst a broader effort to tighten immigration controls across the Middle East, official figures reveal that Pakistan’s federal government reported the deportation of 21,951 Pakistani nationals from Gulf nations between March 1 and July 13, 2026. The data, presented to the National Assembly, shows these deportations stemmed from various violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and involvement in organized begging networks. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over just four months highlights the growing enforcement of immigration laws across the region.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control provided a detailed account stating that Saudi Arabia accounted for the majority of the repatriations, with 15,500 Pakistanis sent back during this period. The United Arab Emirates followed with 3,803 deportees, then Oman with 1,606, Bahrain with 521, Qatar with 429, and Kuwait with 97. A notable portion of those deported included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served prison sentences, and 472 individuals identified specifically as beggars.
Detailed Breakdown of Deportations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman
These figures come at a time of increased scrutiny from Gulf Cooperation Council nations concerning immigration compliance and visa security. According to government records, 1,924 Pakistanis were expelled from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry. The UAE and Oman repatriated 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar reasons. In addition, 968 Pakistanis have been blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases were directly related to administrative visa violations.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up airport screening efforts to intercept those attempting to travel abroad with forged documents or under false pretenses. Officials stressed that individuals trying to exploit pilgrimage or tourist visas to engage in illegal labor or begging risk permanent travel bans. Authorities also emphasized ongoing cooperation between domestic law enforcement and international organizations like Interpol to manage criminal deportations effectively.
UAE Repatriates Over Three Thousand Citizens in Just Four Months
The official report highlights that 6,662 Pakistani nationals were deported under an unspecified “others” category, with no detailed offense classifications provided by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were specifically deported from the UAE via Interpol channels. Other reasons for deportation included expired residency permits, refusals at border crossings, theft, and attempts to travel onward with invalid or fraudulent identification documents.
Members of Parliament raised concerns about how these high deportation figures could impact Pakistan’s reputation abroad. They called for stricter regulation of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Government agencies assured that efforts to monitor and improve domestic emigration procedures will continue to ensure compliance with international legal standards.