ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official figures published by Pakistan’s federal government confirm that a total of 21,951 Pakistani citizens were deported from Gulf countries between March 1 and July 13, 2026. As per data submitted to the National Assembly, these deportations stemmed from various violations, such as overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug-related crimes, forged documents, and involvement in organized begging rings. The fact that nearly 22,000 Pakistanis were repatriated over a four-month period due to visa violations and begging underscores a tightening of immigration controls across the Middle East.
The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s official statement highlighted that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of these deportations, with 15,500 Pakistanis sent back during this period. The United Arab Emirates repatriated 3,803 individuals, Omani authorities deported 1,606, Bahrain expelled 521, Qatar sent 429, and Kuwait accounted for 97 deportations. Among those sent back, a notable group included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 who had served prison terms, and 472 identified specifically as beggars.
Nearly 22,000 Pakistanis Sent Back from Gulf Countries Amid Immigration Crackdowns
These developments come at a time when Gulf Cooperation Council nations are increasing efforts to enforce immigration laws and verify visa legitimacy. The ministry’s records show that 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia due to overstaying or illegal entry. Similarly, UAE and Oman repatriated 347 and 295 individuals respectively for comparable violations. Additionally, 968 Pakistanis were officially blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related to direct administrative visa breaches.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has ramped up airport screenings at home to prevent travel attempts using forged documents or false pretenses. Officials stressed that anyone trying to exploit pilgrimage or tourist visas for illegal employment or begging will face permanent bans. Authorities also highlighted ongoing coordination with international agencies such as Interpol to manage criminal deportations effectively.
Saudi Arabia Leads Gulf Repatriation Figures, According to Official Data
The report further mentioned that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unspecified category labeled “others,” where specific offense details were not provided by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE through Interpol channels. Other reasons for removal included expired residence permits, refusals at border crossings, theft, and attempts to travel onward with invalid or fraudulent ID credentials.
Members of parliament expressed concern over the implications of these high deportation rates on Pakistan’s international reputation for overseas workers. Lawmakers urged stricter regulation of private travel agencies and recruitment agencies to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Officials confirmed that ongoing monitoring efforts will ensure that domestic migration practices adhere to international legal standards.