38,616 Pakistanis Deported from GCC in 2025; FIA Offloads 51,000 More to Curb Begging Syndicates. -

In a significant briefing to the National Assembly, officials revealed that 38,616 Pakistani nationals were deported from GCC countries in 2025. The surge in deportations is largely attributed to a coordinated regional crackdown on organized begging, visa misuse, and illegal stays.

Key Breakdown of Deportations (2025)

The majority of deportations originated from two primary destinations:

Saudi Arabia: Reported the highest volume, with approximately 24,000 to 27,692 individuals sent back, many for allegedly misusing Umrah visas to engage in begging near holy sites.
United Arab Emirates (UAE): Expelled roughly 6,000 to 6,794 citizens on charges including street begging, vagrancy, and unauthorized work under stricter entry and residence laws.
Other States: Deportations were also reported from Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and even the Caucasus region (Azerbaijan) due to similar visa violations.

Domestic Enforcement: Airport Offloading

To curb the issue at the source, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) intensified its scrutiny at Pakistani airports:

Total Stopped: A total of 66,000 passengers were stopped at various airports across the country this year.
Offloaded: Of these, 51,000 travelers were officially offloaded—primarily at Lahore and Karachi airports—due to insufficient documentation, unverified employment details, or suspected links to begging syndicates.
Advanced Monitoring: The FIA has integrated artificial intelligence and linked all major airports to NADRA’s online database to identify suspicious cases in advance.

Government Countermeasures

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has implemented a “zero-tolerance” policy to protect Pakistan’s international image:

Passport Control List (PCL): All deported individuals are being placed on the PCL for five years, effectively banning them from traveling abroad during this period.
Criminal Proceedings: The Ministry of Interior has directed that FIRs be registered against deportees and the agents who facilitated their illegal travel.
OEP Accountability: Show-cause notices have been issued to Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) involved in sending individuals who were later found begging or overstaying