Pakistanis deported from multiple countries for begging, NA panel told

LAHORE (Dunya News) - Thousands of Pakistanis have been deported from various countries for begging, sources revealed.

A meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Rights was held under the chairmanship of Agha Rafiullah.

The Director General of the FIA informed the committee that 51,000 Pakistanis were offloaded from different countries this year. Saudi Arabia deported the highest number—24,000 individuals—for begging, while the UAE deported 6,000 Pakistanis on the same charges.

Azerbaijan also deported 2,500 Pakistani beggars.

The DG FIA said those attempting to travel to Europe under the pretext of performing Umrah were offloaded with evidence, as they were found carrying European travel documents.

The committee was further told that 24,000 people traveled to Cambodia this year, of whom 12,000 have not yet returned. Similarly, 4,000 people went to Myanmar on tourist visas, but 2,500 did not return.

The DG FIA stated that curbing illegal travel improved Pakistan’s passport ranking from 118 to 92. Previously, Pakistan ranked among the top five countries for illegal migration, but recent policies have removed it from that list.

He added that 8,000 Pakistanis traveled illegally to Europe last year, a number that dropped to 4,000 this year. Overall, Saudi Arabia has deported 56,000 Pakistanis for begging.

The committee was informed that Dubai and Germany have granted visa-free access on Pakistani official passports. An e-application will be launched by mid-January, requiring overseas travelers to complete immigration 24 hours before departure.

The DG FIA also revealed that Pakistan’s ambassador in Zimbabwe reported illegal migration routes to Europe via Ethiopia and Zambia. In one case, a fake football club sent a team to Japan, including a disabled person posing as a player.