ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – The Pakistani federal government has published official data confirming that 21,951 Pakistani citizens were deported from Gulf countries from March 1 to July 13, 2026. The figures, submitted to the National Assembly, reveal that these expulsions resulted from a variety of violations, including visa overstays, illegal entries, drug-related crimes, forged documents, and participation in organized begging networks. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over a four-month period for visa breaches and begging underscores the tightening of immigration policies across the Middle East.
A written statement from the Ministry for Narcotics Control outlined that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of these deportations, with 15,500 Pakistanis expelled within the specified timeframe. The United Arab Emirates deported 3,803 individuals, while Oman sent back 1,606. Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait recorded 521, 429, and 97 deportations respectively. Among those repatriated, a significant number included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served prison sentences, and 472 specifically identified as beggars.
Almost 22,000 Pakistanis Deported from Gulf Countries Amid Immigration Enforcement Drives
These figures come amid increased scrutiny from Gulf Cooperation Council states regarding immigration compliance and visa integrity. The Ministry’s records show that 1,924 individuals were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry, with the UAE and Oman repatriating 347 and 295 Pakistanis respectively for similar reasons. Furthermore, 968 Pakistanis were officially blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related to direct administrative visa violations.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up airport screening procedures to prevent individuals from traveling abroad using forged documents or false pretenses. Officials stressed that those trying to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas to engage in illegal labor or begging could face permanent bans from traveling. Coordination between domestic law enforcement and international agencies like Interpol continues to be active in managing criminal deportations.
Saudi Arabia Leads as the Top Repatriation Destination within the Gulf
The official report indicated 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 deported from the UAE specifically through Interpol channels. Other reasons for deportation included expired residency permits, border control entry refusals, theft, and attempts to travel onward using invalid or fraudulent identification documents.
Members of parliament expressed concerns about the impact these high deportation figures could have on Pakistan’s international reputation among overseas workers. Lawmakers urged for stricter oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment agencies to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Government officials reaffirmed that monitoring efforts will continue to ensure that domestic emigration procedures align with international legal standards.