Passports of 53,000 Deported Pakistanis Revoked
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Synopsis
The federal government of Pakistan has blocked the passports of 53,000 deported nationals due to criminal activities and begging. This action, as announced by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, follows complaints from Arab countries, aiming to combat illegal immigration and begging.
Key Takeaways
- Passports blocked for 53,000 deported Pakistanis.
- Begging classified as an act of terrorism.
- Government implementing strict measures against illegal immigration.
- Deportations primarily from Gulf countries.
- Visa rejections for thousands of travelers each month.
Islamabad, April 11 (NationPress) The federal government has revoked the passports of 53,000 Pakistanis who were deported from various countries due to criminal activities and begging. This information was shared with the country’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, during a meeting at the Directorate of Immigration and Passports.
Pakistan has frequently been characterized as a nation exporting beggars, particularly to Arab nations. Following numerous complaints from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding begging, the government has decided to classify begging as an act of terrorism.
“We will implement strict measures to combat both beggary and illegal immigration,” Naqvi stated in an official announcement.
In a significant setback for Pakistan, thousands of its nationals have been deported from various regions of the world in recent months, primarily from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman.
The Saudi authorities deported Pakistanis for multiple reasons, including blacklisting, begging, drug trafficking, illegal residency, working without a sponsor, absconding from employment, and breaching contractual agreements.
Similarly, the UAE deported Pakistani nationals who had completed sentences for illegal actions and other infractions.
Other countries, including the United States and Canada, have also deported Pakistanis for various legal and immigration breaches. The Saudi authorities expelled blacklisted individuals, beggars, and those overstaying their visas.
Moreover, many individuals were sent back for not adhering to their contractual obligations, while workers who absconded from their jobs also faced deportation.
Pakistani nationals were returned from Saudi Arabia for working without a sponsor (Kafeel) and for breaching local labor regulations.
In January, Pakistani citizens were deported from seven countries, including China, often referred to as an 'all-weather friend'.
Numerous Pakistani beggars were apprehended in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Mecca and Medina, where they were caught begging during Umrah and Haj rituals. Many have been arrested and jailed by law enforcement in these nations for carrying illegal drugs and engaging in unlawful activities.
This situation has led to significant restrictions and bans on Pakistani passports, resulting in the rejection of visas for thousands of travelers each month.
