38,500 Pakistanis deported from Gulf countries in one year, NA told

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis informed the National Assembly on Thursday that 38,500 Pakistanis were deported from Gulf countries over the past year.

According to data shared in the House, Saudi Arabia accounted for 27,692 deportations, followed by 6,794 from the United Arab Emirates, 2,537 from Oman, 786 from Bahrain, 644 from Qatar and 163 from Kuwait.

The ministry stated that 6,939 individuals were deported for being fugitives in criminal cases, while 4,872 were sent back for illegal entry or overstaying. Around 2,500 Pakistanis who had completed jail terms in Gulf countries were also deported.

The figures further showed that 1,639 individuals were blacklisted, 1,125 were deported on drug-related charges and 936 for visa violations. Authorities also reported 190 deportations linked to theft, 780 for begging and 332 for immigration law violations.

Fifteen deportations were carried out through Interpol, while more than 14,000 individuals were returned for various other reasons, the ministry added.