Gulf countries deport 21,951 Pakistanis over multiple violations

More than 21,000 Pakistanis were deported from Gulf countries during a period of just over four months, according to the federal government.

A total of 21,951 Pakistani nationals were deported between March 1 and July 13, 2026. The reasons included overstaying, illegal entry, begging, drugs, forged documents, refused asylum and security-related concerns.

The figures were shared by the Ministry for Narcotics Control in a written response to questions raised by MNA Hameed Hussain during the National Assembly’s Question Hour.

The data shows that deportations involved a wide range of cases. Some Pakistanis were removed after violating immigration rules, while others were deported after being declared absconders or facing legal and security concerns.

Saudi Arabia records the highest deportations

Saudi Arabia accounted for the largest share of deported Pakistanis during the period. Nearly 15,500 Pakistanis were deported from the kingdom, making up a significant portion of the overall figure.

The United Arab Emirates recorded the second-highest number, deporting 3,803 Pakistani nationals. Oman deported 1,606 Pakistanis, while Bahrain recorded 521 deportations.

Qatar deported 429 Pakistanis during the same period. Kuwait recorded the lowest figure among the specifically listed Gulf countries, with 97 Pakistani nationals deported.

The large difference between Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states is one of the most notable points in the government’s figures.

Saudi Arabia’s deportations were also spread across several categories, including absconding and immigration-related violations.

Absconders and immigration violations among major cases

The government response showed that 4,628 Pakistanis classified as absconders were deported from Gulf countries.

Saudi Arabia alone deported 3,921 Pakistani absconders, while the UAE expelled another 636 people in this category.

Immigration violations also accounted for a significant number of deportations. A total of 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstay, illegal entry or illegal stay.

The UAE deported 347 Pakistanis for similar offences, while Oman removed 295 Pakistani nationals over these violations.

These figures highlight how immigration status remains one of the major reasons Pakistani nationals are sent back from Gulf countries.

The data also included 1,294 Pakistanis who were jailed, 968 people who were blacklisted and 1,155 deportation cases involving lost passports.

Another 689 Pakistanis were deported because of visa violations. In addition, 342 cases involved people who were refused entry into Gulf countries.

Begging and other cases also reported

Begging was another reason for deportation, with 472 Pakistani beggars removed from Gulf countries during the period covered by the government’s response.

The figures also included 6,662 Pakistanis listed under the category “Others”. However, the Ministry of Interior did not provide specific details about the offences or circumstances included in this category.

The broad “Others” category represents a substantial part of the overall deportation figure. Its lack of detailed information makes it difficult to determine exactly why those individuals were removed.

Other cases mentioned in the government response included people with expired iqamas or passports, imposters and individuals involved in theft.

Some Pakistanis were also deported because of concerns involving war zones or violations of immigration laws.

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UAE cases included Interpol deportations

The UAE deported nine Pakistani nationals through Interpol, according to the government’s written response.

Several other Pakistanis were removed after being refused onward travel or for issues involving their identity and travel documents.

The cases show that deportations were not limited to simple visa or overstaying violations. Authorities in the Gulf states also took action in cases involving legal, security and documentation concerns.

For Pakistani nationals working or travelling in the Gulf, maintaining valid documents and complying with local laws remains particularly important.

The figures also underline the different types of immigration problems faced by Pakistani nationals across the region.

What the figures mean for Pakistanis abroad

The deportation figures provide a broad picture of the challenges faced by Pakistani nationals in Gulf countries.

Most deportations were linked to specific legal, immigration or administrative issues. However, the government’s data does not provide individual details about the people involved or explain every case.

The high number from Saudi Arabia is particularly notable. It reflects the large number of Pakistani workers and residents in the kingdom, as well as the scale of enforcement there.

The UAE also recorded thousands of deportations, making it another major destination where Pakistani nationals faced removal during the period.

The government’s response may increase attention on the need for Pakistanis travelling or working abroad to follow immigration rules and keep their documents valid.

Better guidance before departure and greater awareness of local rules could help reduce avoidable deportation cases in the future.