58,000 Pakistanis deported since 2023, MPs panel told: 5,600 deported for beggary from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior on Tuesday informed the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development that 58,000 Pakistanis had been deported from abroad since 2023, including 5,600 for beggary from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar, based on data from the FIA and Pakistani missions abroad.

The ministry has placed deportees’ names on the Passport Control List (PCL).

The committee, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, convened at Parliament House to discuss issues such as the five-year passport blockage, registration of FIRs against deportees from Saudi Arabia and other Western countries, and the rising incidents of deportations from Gulf nations due to beggary and fake documents.

DG Passport and Immigration Mustafa Jamal Kazi highlighted the issue of overstaying, particularly by pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. He reported that 34,000 Pakistanis were deported from Iran and 50,000 from Iraq last year.

Kazi also noted a rising trend of Pakistanis seeking asylum in Europe, with 125,000 applications filed in the past year. The committee requested a report on 24,000 speaking orders issued in the last three months to assist deportees.

Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro questioned the ministry’s measures to curb beggary and other crimes tarnishing Pakistan’s image. Officials responded that the ministry had initiated the cancellation of passports for all deportees to deter the increasing trend of beggary by Pakistani nationals in Gulf countries.

However, Senator Shahadat Awan argued that passports cannot be cancelled for crimes committed abroad, as they fall outside Pakistan’s territorial jurisdiction.

The committee also sought details on action taken against Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) involved in sending deportees abroad. Officials stated that show-cause notices had been issued to those implicated.

The panel recommended criminal proceedings against the accused OEPs and demanded a list of promoters who sent the highest number of Pakistanis involved in beggary and criminal activities, damaging Pakistan’s reputation and relations with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Iran, Iraq and Oman.

Additionally, the committee sought segregated data on 5,000 deportees who traveled abroad on work permits or visit visas to assess the OEPs’ role.

The committee was also briefed on economic diplomacy efforts to boost skilled labour migration. The MD OEC stated that 10.3 million Pakistani skilled workers are employed abroad, with 18 MoUs signed and 15 under consideration. The OEC focuses on enhancing skilled migration to benefit both host economies and Pakistan through remittances.

The committee applauded the OEC’s efforts and decided to visit its laboratories in the next meeting.