Reports suggest Gulf countries have tightened visa scrutiny amid concerns over illegal activities involving Pakistani nationals….reports Asian Lite News
More than 164,000 Pakistani nationals have been deported from Gulf countries over the past five years, according to official data presented in Pakistan’s National Assembly, local media reported on Tuesday.
The data, submitted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior during a parliamentary session, showed that Saudi Arabia accounted for the highest number of deportations with 108,029 cases, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 40,497 deportations.
According to figures reported by Pakistan’s leading daily The Express Tribune, Oman deported 9,814 Pakistani nationals during the same period, while Qatar recorded 2,971 cases and Bahrain reported 2,779 deportations.
The data was presented during a National Assembly session marked by protests from opposition lawmakers over alleged restrictions on meetings with former Prime Minister Imran Khan and concerns regarding access to medical treatment.
The issue of deportations and visa restrictions has drawn growing attention in Pakistan in recent months.
Earlier this year, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged that several Gulf countries had tightened or stopped issuing visas to Pakistani nationals due to concerns over organised begging networks operating across the region.
Sharing a video on social media in February, Asif claimed that organised groups in Pakistan were recruiting children, women and individuals pretending to be disabled to engage in begging operations both domestically and abroad.
He referred to reports published by UAE based newspaper Khaleej Times which highlighted concerns over professional begging rackets involving Pakistani nationals in Gulf countries.
“Begging has become a profession that is quite organised,” Asif said, alleging that contractors were making billions by running networks that sent beggars to Gulf states.
The minister also alleged involvement of airport staff and claimed that such operations could not function without support from sections of local administration and police.
The video referenced by Asif reportedly showed a child beggar explaining how members of his family earned significant daily income through organised begging activities, with proceeds allegedly used to purchase property in Pakistan.
The issue has sparked wider debate in Pakistan over unemployment, poverty and the activities of organised criminal networks exploiting vulnerable individuals for financial gain.
