At least 21,951 Pakistanis were deported from Gulf Cooperation Council states by March 1. The National Assembly received the figures during Thursday’s Question Hour.
Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of deportations among GCC countries. Authorities deported 15,495 Pakistani nationals from the kingdom during the period.
Saudi Arabia Accounts For Largest Share
The United Arab Emirates deported 3,802 Pakistanis during the reported period. Meanwhile, Oman and Bahrain each deported 521 Pakistani nationals.
Qatar deported 429 Pakistanis, while Kuwait recorded 97 deportations. Together, these figures account for the total reported deportations across GCC states.
Authorities cited several reasons for deporting the Pakistani nationals. These included visa violations, illegal stays, drug-related offences, absconding, and other immigration breaches.
The data came through a written response to lawmaker Hameed Hassan’s question. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry provided the government’s response.
Government Clarifies Deportation Figures
Chaudhry explained that the figures cover formally detained Pakistani nationals. Authorities deported these individuals after Pakistani missions issued emergency travel documents.
However, the figures exclude Pakistanis who returned voluntarily from GCC countries. Those traveling with valid passports also do not appear in the reported numbers.
The clarification provides a narrower definition of deportation within the government’s data. Therefore, the actual number of Pakistanis who left GCC states may be higher.
The figures highlight continued immigration enforcement across Gulf countries. Pakistani missions continue assisting nationals facing detention and deportation proceedings.
The National Assembly was informed of the figures amid broader questions about Pakistanis living and working abroad. The government’s clarification also distinguishes formal deportations from voluntary returns.
