Saudi Arabia, UAE lead as Gulf states deport more than 164,000 Pakistanis over five years

More than 164,000 Pakistanis were deported from Gulf countries over the past five years, with Saudi Arabia accounting for the highest number at 108,029 cases, according to official data presented by the Ministry of Interior in the National Assembly. 

As per data presented before the house, Saudi Arabia accounted for the highest number of deportations at 108,029 cases. The United Arab Emirates followed with 40,497 deportations, while Oman recorded 9,814 cases, Qatar 2,971 and Bahrain 2,779.

The figures were presented during a tense National Assembly session marked by protests from opposition lawmakers over alleged denial of meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan and concerns regarding his medical access.

The session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, witnessed sloganeering, a sit-in in front of the speaker’s dais and a symbolic “parallel assembly” staged by opposition members led by Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai.

Separately, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency submitted a report to the House stating that more than 531,000 complaints had been received between 2023 and the present.

According to the report, over 5,700 cases were registered during the period, while around 7,600 individuals were arrested over the past four years in connection with cybercrime offences.

The House also discussed concerns regarding rising costs of private healthcare services in Islamabad.