ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official figures released by Pakistan’s federal government confirm that between March 1 and July 13, 2026, a total of 21,951 Pakistani nationals were expelled from Gulf nations. As presented to the National Assembly, these deportations resulted from various violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entry, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and involvement in organized begging rings. The nearly 22,000 Pakistanis deported over just four months for visa breaches and begging underscore a tightening of immigration controls across the Middle East.
A written statement from the Ministry for Narcotics Control outlined that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the bulk of these repatriations, with 15,500 Pakistanis sent back during this period. The United Arab Emirates deported 3,803 individuals, Oman 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. A substantial portion of those expelled included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 who served prison terms, and 472 identified as beggars.
Nearly 22,000 Pakistanis Sent Back from Gulf Nations Amid Immigration Crackdowns
The recent data coincides with increased efforts by Gulf Cooperation Council countries to enforce immigration laws and ensure visa compliance. The records indicate that 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry. The UAE and Oman also repatriated 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar violations. Moreover, 968 Pakistanis have been officially blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases pertained directly to visa violations handled administratively.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up airport screening to prevent travelers from using forged documents or false pretenses. Officials stressed that those attempting to misuse pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal labor or begging will face permanent bans from traveling abroad. Authorities noted ongoing coordination between domestic law enforcement and international agencies like Interpol to address criminal deportation cases.
Saudi Arabia Leads Repatriation Numbers from Gulf Countries
The report specified that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unspecified “others” category, with no detailed offense classification provided by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE through Interpol channels. Other reasons for repatriation included expired residencies, border refusals, theft, and attempts to travel onward with invalid or fraudulent identity documents.
Members of parliament expressed concern about the repercussions of such high deportation figures on the international reputation of Pakistani workers abroad. Lawmakers urged for increased oversight of private travel agencies and recruitment firms to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Government officials assured that monitoring efforts will persist to ensure that domestic emigration procedures comply with international legal standards.