1 week ago
Gulf Countries Deport Over 20,000 Pakistanis for Multiple Reasons
Gulf countries sent more than 20,000 Pakistani citizens back between March 1 and July 13.
Saudi Arabia sent back the most people, followed by the United Arab Emirates.
The other four countries recorded far fewer deportations.
Officials cited reasons such as breaking visa rules, entering illegally, overstaying, begging and drug-related offenses.
Some people were also sent back because of security concerns or improper documents.
The records included people described as absconders, people who had been jailed, blacklisted people and people with lost passports.
More than 6,000 cases were placed in a broad category called “Others,” with no extra explanation.
Some cases involved people detained or deported after filming or uploading material related to Iranian attacks.
The figures do not include people who left voluntarily or returned using valid passports.
Official figures presented in Pakistan’s National Assembly recorded 21,956 formal deportations of Pakistani nationals from six Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Saudi Arabia deported 15,500 Pakistanis, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 3,803.
Oman recorded 1,606 deportations, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429 and Kuwait 97.
Cited reasons included illegal entry, overstaying, begging, drug-related offenses, security concerns, improper documents and visa violations.
The figures cover formal detentions and deportations requiring emergency travel documents, excluding voluntary departures and returns on valid passports.
- Who
- Pakistani nationals deported by authorities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait; the figures were provided by Pakistan’s Ministry of Narcotics Control.
- What
- A total of 21,956 formal deportations were recorded, involving immigration, criminal, documentation and security-related cases.
- Where
- The six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
- When
- Between March 1 and July 13; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- Authorities cited illegal entry, overstaying, begging, drug-related offenses, security concerns, forged or improper documents, visa violations and other unspecified reasons.
Key facts
- Total deportations
- 21,956 Pakistani nationals
- Reporting period
- March 1 to July 13
- Largest number
- Saudi Arabia: 15,500 deportations
- Second-largest number
- United Arab Emirates: 3,803 deportations
- Other country totals
- Oman: 1,606; Bahrain: 521; Qatar: 429; Kuwait: 97
- Recorded categories
- 4,628 absconders, 1,294 jailed individuals, 968 blacklisted people, 1,155 lost-passport cases, 689 visa violators and 342 refused-entry cases
- Unspecified cases
- More than 6,000 deportations were listed under “Others” without a detailed breakdown
- Scope of figures
- Only people formally detained and deported after Pakistani missions issued emergency travel documents were counted
Sources
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