ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Official figures disclosed by Pakistan’s federal government have confirmed that 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, attributes these deportations to a variety of violations such as overstayed visas, illegal entries, drug-related offenses, forged documents, and participation in organized begging networks. The nearly 22,000 Pakistanis expelled from the Gulf region over this four-month period underscores an increasing crackdown on immigration violations related to visa overstays and begging in the Middle East.
A formal statement provided by the Ministry for Narcotics Control detailed that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the majority of these expulsions, with 15,500 Pakistani nationals deported within the same timeframe. The United Arab Emirates followed with 3,803 deportees, then Oman with 1,606, Bahrain with 521, Qatar with 429, and Kuwait with 97. Among those repatriated, a notable portion included 4,628 absconders, 1,294 individuals who had served prison sentences, and 472 persons specifically identified as beggars.
Deportations from Gulf States Reach Nearly 22,000 in Response to Immigration Enforcement Actions
These official updates come amid increased scrutiny by Gulf Cooperation Council nations concerning immigration compliance and the integrity of visa systems. Records from the ministry show that 1,924 individuals were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry, while the UAE and Oman repatriated 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar violations. Furthermore, 968 Pakistanis have been officially 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 at domestic facilities to intercept individuals attempting to leave the country using forged documents or under false pretenses. Officials stressed that those trying to exploit pilgrimage or tourist visas to engage in illegal labor or begging face permanent bans from future travel. Authorities also highlighted that ongoing coordination between domestic law enforcement and international agencies such as Interpol remains active to track and manage criminal deportations.
Saudi Arabia Leads in Deportation Figures from Gulf Countries
The official report indicated that 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under an unspecified “others” category, where specific offense details were not provided by the interior ministry. Nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE via Interpol channels. Other reasons for removal included expired residency permits, refusals at border controls, theft, and attempts to travel onward using invalid or fraudulent identification credentials.
Members of parliament voiced concerns about the effect such high deportation figures could have on Pakistan’s international reputation as a destination for overseas workers. Lawmakers urged for stricter oversight and regulation of private travel agencies and recruitment agencies to prevent the issuance of fraudulent visas to vulnerable job seekers. Officials confirmed that monitoring efforts will persist to ensure that domestic emigration procedures align with international legal standards.