More than 100 Pakistani nationals have been deported from Saudi Arabia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and three other countries over violations related to visas, illegal stays, and breaches of local laws. The large-scale deportations reflect growing scrutiny on immigration compliance and stricter enforcement of travel regulations worldwide.
Saudi Arabia Leads Deportations
Saudi Arabia accounted for the highest number of deportations, with 42 Pakistanis expelled over various violations. Among them, five individuals were blacklisted, 13 were caught begging, and five had overstayed their visas. Additionally, 16 people were deported for violating employment contract terms, while 23 absconders—those who left their jobs without informing their employers—were also sent back.
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A significant factor in these expulsions was the violation of the Kafala system, which requires foreign workers to have a legal sponsor (Kafeel). Authorities deported 13 Pakistanis found working without proper sponsorship, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s strict labour laws.
Other Countries Follow Suit
While Saudi Arabia led the crackdown, other countries also took action. Canada deported one Pakistani national for overstaying their visa, while Iraq expelled seven individuals due to illegal residency. In the UAE, one Pakistani was sent back for lacking proper documentation, and nine others were deported following the completion of their jail sentences.
Additionally, three blacklisted Pakistanis were expelled from Oman, Somaliland, and the UAE. These measures indicate a broader effort among host countries to tighten border controls and enforce immigration laws.
Karachi Airport Offloads 47 Passengers
In a related development, Pakistani immigration authorities at Karachi Airport offloaded 47 passengers bound for 16 different countries due to visa and travel document issues. Among them, three individuals were blacklisted and barred from departure.
Authorities prevented two passengers from flying to the United Kingdom on student visas and another on a UK visit visa over documentation concerns. Similarly, a passenger attempting to travel to Turkey on a festival visa was denied boarding after failing to prove any connection to the event.
Additionally, 19 Umrah pilgrims were offloaded due to a lack of hotel bookings and insufficient financial proof for their expenses. Two travelers with work visas for Saudi Arabia were also stopped due to their blacklisted status. Other passengers were denied travel to South Africa, Guyana, Ghana, Tanzania, Malawi, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia over documentation inconsistencies or missing identification papers.
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The wave of deportations and travel restrictions highlights the increasing enforcement of immigration policies globally. Many Pakistani workers and travelers face deportation due to a lack of awareness regarding visa regulations, employment contracts, and travel documentation requirements.