258 Pakistani Nationals Deported from Seven Countries, Including Criminals and Beggars
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Karachi, Jan 10 (NationPress) In a significant setback for Pakistan, 258 of its nationals were deported from seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and its 'all-weather ally' China in the last 24 hours, as reported by local media on Friday.
As per the information from Pakistani immigration authorities, among the 258 deported individuals arriving at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, 244 were sent back on emergency travel documents, while only 14 possessed valid Pakistani passports. Out of these, 16 deportees were detained due to a 'suspicious identity', while the remainder were released after brief questioning.
Prominent news outlet Geo News reported that Saudi Arabia sent back 232 individuals, including seven beggars, those caught attempting to perform Hajj without the necessary permits, and others who had overstayed their visas or were found working unlawfully. The report indicated that 112 were deported following complaints from their sponsors, while 63 faced other legal issues.
From the UAE, 21 individuals were deported, of which four were implicated in drug trafficking.
According to the reports from the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Immigration Cell, an additional 35 passengers were offloaded at the Karachi airport in the last 24 hours due to inadequate hotel bookings, insufficient funds, and improper travel documentation.
While the UAE deported 21, one individual each was sent back from China, Qatar, Indonesia, Cyprus, and Nigeria.
Over the years, Pakistan has consistently sent questionable travelers abroad who often end up overstaying illegally as asylum seekers, drug traffickers, beggars, and human traffickers.
Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia's aviation authority mandated that a polio vaccination certificate is required for Pakistani citizens traveling to the kingdom, with strict penalties for non-compliance.
This decision comes as many Gulf nations have imposed visa restrictions on Pakistanis due to their involvement in crime, fraud, and begging.
Previously, the UAE required Pakistani visa applicants to submit a police character certificate.
Historically, over 4000 Pakistani beggars have been apprehended in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Mecca and Medina, for begging during Umrah and Haj events. Numerous Pakistanis have also faced arrest for drug possession and other illegal activities.
This has led to stringent restrictions and bans on Pakistani passports, significantly impacting visa approvals for thousands of travelers monthly.
