Riyadh/Islamabad, December 2025 — Saudi Arabia has deported approximately 24,000 Pakistani nationals this year in a sweeping crackdown targeting organized begging and misuse of visit visas, officials from Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have said.
The mass deportations form part of a broader effort by Saudi authorities to tackle what they describe as illegal activities and public-order concerns linked to professional begging networks, particularly involving foreign nationals.
At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — especially Dubai — has repatriated around 6,000 Pakistani nationals on similar grounds, with authorities citing violations of visa conditions and public-order offences.
Data shared by the FIA indicates that a significant number of Pakistanis were also offloaded at departure points before reaching Gulf destinations as part of intensified inspections aimed at curbing illegal migration and begging syndicates.
Pakistani officials have expressed concern that such trends not only strain diplomatic ties but also damage the country’s reputation abroad. In response, Islamabad has launched tougher domestic measures, including bans on ‘professional beggars’ flying abroad and stricter airport security checks to stop misuse of tourist, work, and pilgrimage visas.
The deportations come amid heightened pressure on Pakistani authorities to dismantle human smuggling networks and strengthen documentation screening processes, as Gulf nations tighten immigration enforcement.
Authorities in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE say the moves are aimed at upholding public order and ensuring compliance with legal entry and residence requirements.
