Deported

In what should be taken as a most alarming situation, around 258 Pakistanis have reportedly been deported from seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and China, in the past day or two. This is a glaring indictment of the systemic failures that plague both our state and our citizens. From visa overstays and illegal work to drug trafficking and begging during religious pilgrimages, the reasons behind these deportations paint a troubling picture of desperation and disrepute. Arab nations have tightened their policies against begging during Hajj and Umrah, a direct response to the increasing number of Pakistanis exploiting these sacred rituals for personal gain. In Europe, Pakistanis lead the list of those attempting to enter illegally, risking their lives in treacherous journeys. What’s worse? And perhaps, what is the reason as well as the consequence of this all? The Pakistani passport ranks an abysmal 103rd out of 106 countries.

So who bears the brunt of responsibility for this national embarrassment? The answer lies in a dual critique of governance and societal behaviour. The government cannot escape blame. Decades of mismanagement, lack of accountability and poor economic policies have left millions of Pakistanis without viable opportunities at home. With limited avenues for employment, many resort to illegal or exploitative means to secure livelihoods abroad. The absence of robust diplomatic efforts to negotiate fair treatment for Pakistani expatriates and the lack of oversight in issuing travel documents exacerbate the issue. And not just that; deportations on emergency travel documents highlight the inefficiency and negligence of the state apparatus in ensuring proper documentation. The FIA’s recent offloading of passengers at Karachi airport due to incomplete documentation or insufficient funds also points to systemic gaps in regulating outbound travel. While these measures are necessary to prevent illegal migration, they are reactive rather than preventive. The state needs to invest in awareness campaigns and stricter pre-departure checks to address these issues at their root.

While the government’s shortcomings are evident, the people are not without fault. The normalisation of misuse of religious platforms and the blatant disregard for legal frameworks make Pakistan stand out as an irresponsible nation with irresponsible citizens. Begging during Hajj and Umrah is not just a legal violation but a moral transgression that desecrates the sanctity of these religious obligations. Similarly, the willingness of people to engage in illegal work or overstay their visas reflects a lack of accountability and foresight at the individual level. However, citizens are often forced into such shameless situations because the state of Pakistan offers little respite, whether economic, social or security-wise. The lack of opportunities, compounded by inadequate state support, creates an environment where survival instincts override moral and legal considerations. Citizens must understand that their actions abroad are not just personal but national representations. The fact is that the rising trend of deportations is not just a crisis of migration but one of identity and governance. To address this, a multipronged approach is needed – one that includes economic reforms, stricter pre-departure regulations, public awareness campaigns; and diplomatic engagement. What is also fact is that these embarrassing deportations, the tightening noose of stricter immigration policies, and the global distrust in the Pakistani passport are symptoms of deeper systemic issues. Addressing these will need introspection, accountability and collective effort.