Over 38,000 Pakistanis Deported from Gulf Countries in 2025; FIA Cracks Down on Illegal Currency Trade
ISLAMABAD: During 2025, Gulf countries have reportedly become a hotspot for illegal activities involving Pakistani nationals, including begging, theft, and forgery, according to data presented in the National Assembly.
The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis submitted a written response during the question hour, revealing that a total of **38,616 Pakistanis** were deported from Gulf countries last year. The breakdown is as follows: Bahrain – 786, Kuwait – 163, Oman – 537, Saudi Arabia – 27,692, UAE – 6,794, and Qatar – 644. The deported individuals were found involved in illegal stay, visa violations, begging, theft, expired residency permits, and other criminal activities.
In response to a question by Shazia Marri, the Ministry of Interior reported that the **Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)** has conducted **551 raids** since January 2025 against those involved in illegal foreign currency businesses, unauthorized Hundi operations, and remittance scams. The FIA registered **576 cases**, arrested **703 suspects**, and secured convictions in **324 cases**.
Separately, the Ministry of Defence informed the assembly that the federal government has developed a **comprehensive National Utilization Framework**, alongside Pakistan’s first **hyperspectral satellite**, which is currently in the orbit testing phase. After testing, image data from the satellite will be made available to various organizations by the end of the month.
The defence ministry highlighted that under the National Utilization Framework, the satellite’s data will support services in **agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management** for citizens, marking a significant step in the country’s technological advancement.
