Over 21,000 Pakistanis deported from Gulf countries

A total of 21,951 Pakistani nationals have been deported from Gulf countries between March 1 and July 13 this year on various charges, including overstaying, illegal entry, begging, drug-related offences, rejected asylum applications, forged documents and security reasons, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Narcotics Control.

The ministry disclosed the information in a written reply to a question from MNA Hamid Hossain during the question-and-answer session of Pakistan's National Assembly on Thursday .

Among those deported, 4,628 were absconders, 1,294 were released from prisons, 968 were blacklisted, 1,155 were deported over lost passport cases, and 689 were deported for visa violations. A total of 342 were sent back due to entry bans imposed by Gulf countries.

Saudi Arabia topped the list, having sent back approximately 15,500 Pakistanis. The United Arab Emirates deported 3,803, Oman 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429 and Kuwait 97.

Additionally, 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under other categories not specified in the written reply. A total of 472 Pakistani beggars were also deported from Gulf countries.

The reply further stated that nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE through Interpol. Others were sent back for reasons including denied onward travel, use of fake identities, expired Iqama and passports, theft, and links to conflict zones, as well as violations of immigration laws .

Saudi Arabia also led in deporting absconders, sending back 3,921 Pakistanis, while the UAE deported 636 on the same charge. Regarding overstaying or illegal entry, Saudi Arabia deported 1,924 Pakistanis, the UAE 347 and Oman 295.