38,616 Pakistanis Deported from GCC in 2025

Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: Fresh figures presented during a National Assembly question-answer session have laid bare the scale of deportations of Pakistani nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2025, with a total of 38,616 individuals sent back home.

The data, dominated by removals from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has revived concerns over undocumented stays, labor compliance, and the growing vulnerability of Pakistani workers across the Gulf region.

According to official information shared on the floor of the National Assembly, Saudi Arabia topped the list with 27,692 deportations—by far the highest number among GCC states.

The United Arab Emirates followed with 6,794 deportations.

Oman reported 2,537 removals, Bahrain 786, Qatar 644, and Kuwait 163. While enforcement levels varied across the region, the data indicates that deportations were recorded in all GCC member states.

The breakdown of deportation reasons reveals a pattern that extends beyond routine overstays and highlights broader compliance challenges. The largest single category was classified as “Other,” accounting for 13,418 cases.

The broad and unspecified nature of this label has raised questions about transparency, as it represents the biggest share of deportations.

The second-largest category was “Absconder,” with 6,939 deportations involving individuals reported to have left their employers or sponsors without formal clearance—a violation that often results in blacklisting and future travel restrictions.

Immigration-related violations also featured prominently. “Over/Illegal/Entry/Stay” accounted for 4,872 deportations, while 520 cases were attributed to “Expired Visa.”

An additional 936 deportations were recorded under “Visa Violation,” collectively underscoring persistent residency and documentation compliance issues.

The data also shows a notable number of deportations linked to detention and criminal allegations. A total of 2,512 individuals were deported under the category “Jailed,” while 1,125 cases were related to drug offenses. Theft accounted for 190 deportations and forgery for 34, indicating that some removals followed criminal prosecution or serious allegations likely to trigger entry bans.

Reputationally sensitive categories were also highlighted. “Beggar” was listed as the reason in 780 deportations, reflecting crackdowns in Gulf countries where anti-begging campaigns intensify during peak seasons.

Another 370 deportations fell under “HIV/Medical (Blood),” indicating medical screening failures that can result in immediate removal under host-country health regulations.

Documentation-related issues appeared repeatedly in the figures. “Lost Passport” was cited in 1,933 cases, suggesting either negligence, vulnerability to theft, or insufficient access to consular support and replacement mechanisms.

Additionally, 1,639 deportations were categorized as “Black List,” indicating individuals previously flagged by host-country authorities for violations or restrictions.

A closer look at the overall numbers shows that Saudi Arabia and the UAE together accounted for 34,486 deportations—an overwhelming majority of the total—underscoring the exposure of Pakistani workers in the region’s two largest labor markets.

While the National Assembly disclosure provides raw statistics, it also intensifies policy pressure for stronger worker protection frameworks, improved recruitment oversight, better documentation management, and stricter action against activities that damage Pakistan’s image abroad.

The heavy reliance on the vague “Other” classification for 13,418 cases is likely to prompt demands for clearer reporting and greater accountability regarding the underlying causes of deportations.

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