Gulf Countries Deport Nearly 22,000 Pakistanis in Four Months, Saudi Arabia Tops List
ISLAMABAD: Nearly 22,000 Pakistani citizens were deported from Gulf countries during the first four and a half months of 2026, with Saudi Arabia accounting for the largest number of deportations.
According to official figures presented in the National Assembly, a total of 21,951 Pakistanis were deported from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates between March 1 and July 13, 2026.
Saudi Arabia deported the highest number of Pakistanis, with 15,495 citizens sent back. The UAE followed with 3,803 deportations, while 1,606 Pakistanis were deported from Oman, 521 from Bahrain, 429 from Qatar and 97 from Kuwait.
The details were provided in a written reply submitted to the National Assembly after MNA Hameed Hussain raised the issue of the reasons behind the deportation of Pakistani citizens and the countries involved.
According to the response, 6,662 Pakistanis were deported under the category of “other reasons,” although the ministry did not provide specific details regarding the reasons included in this category.
Another 4,628 Pakistanis were deported after being declared absconders. Of these, 3,921 were deported from Saudi Arabia and 636 from the UAE.
The data showed that 2,811 Pakistanis were sent back for illegal entry or stay, while 1,294 were deported after serving time in prison.
Cases involving lost passports accounted for 1,155 deportations, while 968 Pakistanis were deported after being blacklisted.
A total of 728 Pakistanis were deported in connection with drug-related cases or allegations, including 450 from Saudi Arabia and 190 from the UAE.
Visa violations resulted in the deportation of 689 Pakistani citizens, while 472 were deported on grounds of begging.
The figures further showed that 343 Pakistanis were deported because their visas had expired, 342 were denied entry, 255 were deported because they had been born abroad, and 145 for violating immigration laws.
In addition, 125 Pakistanis were deported over theft allegations, 93 following visa cancellations, 44 for having expired residence permits and 40 due to expired passports.
Sixteen Pakistani citizens were deported over fake documentation, while nine were repatriated from the UAE through Interpol.
Saudi Arabia alone deported 3,921 Pakistani absconders, while another 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from the kingdom for visa-related violations.
The figures indicate that Saudi Arabia and the UAE accounted for the largest share of deportations of Pakistani citizens from the Gulf region.
The main reasons cited for deportation included absconding, illegal entry or stay, visa violations, imprisonment, lost or expired travel documents and other immigration-related issues.
