The deportation of 258 Pakistanis from seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and China, has highlighted a growing trend of forced repatriations. This influx of deportees arrived at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport over a span of just 24 hours, underscoring the challenges faced by Pakistani expatriates abroad.
Deportees and Their Circumstances
Of the 258 deportees, 14 returned with valid Pakistani passports, while 244 were sent back using emergency travel documents, highlighting the challenges many expatriates face in maintaining proper documentation abroad. Upon their arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, immigration officials arrested 16 individuals for various legal violations, including one person whose identity is under further investigation due to suspicious documentation. These arrests underline the ongoing scrutiny of deportees to address potential security risks. The remaining individuals were thoroughly questioned by authorities and subsequently released, with their records updated in the immigration database. This process ensures that repatriated individuals comply with legal requirements upon re-entry into Pakistan.
Read More: Pakistan flight departs for Paris after EU ban lifted
Saudi Arabia: The Majority of Deportations
Saudi Arabia accounted for the largest number of deportees, sending back 232 individuals in total, reflecting the kingdom’s strict enforcement of immigration laws and local regulations. Among these deportees were seven beggars, underscoring the ongoing crackdown on illegal street activities. Additionally, two individuals were apprehended for performing Hajj without obtaining the necessary permits, a serious violation of Saudi Arabia’s pilgrimage laws. These individuals were deported after serving their sentences, which serve as a warning to others considering similar unauthorized actions.
Four deportees had overstayed their Umrah visas, facing legal action as Saudi authorities intensify monitoring of visa durations. A significant number—16 individuals—were sent back for overstaying their general visas, a recurring issue among expatriates in the Gulf region.
Notably, 27 individuals were caught working without a sponsor (kafeel), a breach of Saudi Arabia’s strict sponsorship system that governs expatriate labor. Furthermore, 112 deportees were expelled following complaints lodged by their sponsors, which could range from disputes over employment terms to allegations of misconduct or violations of workplace regulations. An additional 63 individuals faced deportation for a variety of other charges, such as petty crimes, involvement in illegal activities, or breaches of local laws.
UAE and Other Countries
The UAE deported 21 individuals, including four involved in drug trafficking, highlighting the emirate’s stringent stance against narcotics-related offenses. These deportations reflect the zero-tolerance policies prevalent in the UAE regarding criminal activities, particularly drug smuggling, which carries severe penalties. Deportees from other countries included one individual each from China, Qatar, Indonesia, Cyprus, and Nigeria, highlighting the diverse range of challenges faced by Pakistani expatriates globally.
Among those deported from the UAE and Nigeria, 16 individuals were listed on the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) immigration stop list, a designation typically reserved for individuals involved in significant legal violations or posing potential security threats. After thorough interrogation upon their arrival in Karachi, these individuals were released, with their cases referred for further monitoring.
FIA Actions at Karachi Airport
In addition to the deportations, the FIA’s Immigration Cell offloaded 35 passengers attempting to leave Pakistan from Karachi airport within 24 hours. Among these, 18 individuals traveling on Umrah visas were denied boarding for failing to provide proof of advance hotel bookings and insufficient funds to cover their expenses, a prerequisite to prevent unauthorized activities or overstays during their pilgrimage.
Passengers holding work visas were stopped for lacking the necessary documentation, such as employment contracts or valid sponsorship details, which are critical for entry into host countries. Similarly, individuals traveling on tourism visas to the UAE were offloaded due to inadequate advance hotel bookings and insufficient financial proof, both mandatory to demonstrate the viability of their travel plans.
One passenger planning to travel to Malaysia on a temporary employment permit was also offloaded for failing to provide a visa protector stamp, a critical requirement designed to safeguard the rights and safety of Pakistani workers abroad. The absence of this stamp often raises concerns about potential exploitation or involvement in unauthorized employment.
Increasing Deportations: A Worrying Trend
Immigration officials noted a significant rise in deportations, with expatriates often being sent back for visa overstays, working without proper sponsorship, or violating local laws. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which host a large number of Pakistani workers, have intensified scrutiny of expatriates’ legal statuses, leading to a surge in deportations.
Read More: 36 FIA officers sacked over alleged role in Greece boat tragedy
Authorities emphasized the importance of ensuring complete documentation before traveling abroad. Passengers are advised to obtain proper visas, confirm advance hotel bookings, and secure sufficient funds to cover expenses. Negligence in meeting these requirements has led to numerous offloading incidents and deportations, compounding the challenges faced by Pakistani expatriates.