NEARLY 22,000 PAKISTANIS DEPORTED FROM GULF COUNTRIES IN SIX MONTHS: REASONS REVEALED
ISLAMABAD: Nearly 22,000 Pakistani nationals were deported from Gulf countries during a five-month period, with official figures revealing the major reasons behind their deportation.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry informed the National Assembly that 21,951 Pakistani citizens were deported between March and July 2026 from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
According to government data, the deportations were linked to several legal and immigration-related violations. These included illegal stay, violations of visa and residency regulations, drug-related cases, absconding and breaches of other local laws.
Officials told the National Assembly that Pakistani nationals detained in the respective Gulf countries were repatriated after Pakistani diplomatic missions issued them emergency travel documents, commonly known as outpasses.
The figures do not include Pakistanis who returned voluntarily from the Gulf states.
The government clarified that the reasons for deportation were not the same in every case. Different individuals were deported for violations related to immigration rules, visa conditions, residency regulations and other local laws.
Meanwhile, the government has activated special courts in Islamabad and all 36 districts of Punjab to protect the property rights of overseas Pakistanis. These courts are aimed at resolving property-related disputes involving Pakistanis living abroad on a faster basis.
Authorities have advised Pakistanis planning to travel to Gulf countries to carefully verify their visas, residency permits and other travel documents before departure.
The government also urged travellers to strictly follow the laws and regulations of their host countries to avoid deportation, detention and other legal complications.
The figures highlight the importance of complying with local immigration and residency requirements for Pakistanis working or travelling in Gulf countries.
