Thousands of Pakistani citizens have been deported from foreign countries this year due to involvement in begging, raising serious concerns about illegal migration, misuse of visas, and Pakistan’s international image. The disclosure was made by officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Rights, chaired by Agha Rafiullah.
According to the FIA Director General, around 51,000 Pakistanis were offloaded or deported in 2025 for begging-related activities. Saudi Arabia topped the list, deporting nearly 24,000 Pakistanis, followed by the United Arab Emirates, which sent back 6,000 individuals, and Azerbaijan, which deported 2,500 people. These figures highlight the scale of the issue and the challenges Pakistan faces in controlling illegal and unethical migration practices.
The committee was informed that many individuals attempted to travel abroad, particularly to Europe, by falsely claiming they were going for Umrah. FIA officials stated that only those travelers were offloaded who were found with fake documents or misleading travel purposes, supported by solid evidence. Genuine pilgrims were not affected by the crackdown.
The meeting also revealed worrying trends in other regions. Approximately 24,000 Pakistanis traveled to Cambodia this year, but 12,000 have not yet returned, raising fears of illegal employment or human trafficking. Similarly, 4,000 Pakistanis went to Myanmar on tourist visas, and 2,500 are still abroad, with their whereabouts unclear. Authorities believe many of these cases are linked to illegal work networks and exploitation.
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Despite these challenges, the FIA highlighted positive progress due to stricter monitoring and enforcement. Pakistan’s passport ranking has improved from 118 to 92, reflecting better global confidence in travel documentation and border controls. Previously, Pakistan ranked among the top five countries with the highest number of illegal travelers, but new policies and tighter checks have helped remove it from that list.
The FIA chief also shared encouraging data on Europe-bound illegal migration. The number of Pakistanis attempting to enter Europe unlawfully has dropped by 50 percent, from 8,000 last year to 4,000 this year. This reduction is being credited to improved screening at airports, stronger intelligence sharing, and awareness campaigns.
However, officials noted that begging abroad remains a deep-rooted social and economic issue, driven by poverty, lack of skills, unemployment, and false promises made by agents. Over recent years, Saudi Arabia alone has deported around 56,000 Pakistanis for begging-related offenses, underlining the urgency of long-term solutions.
Members of the committee stressed the need for job creation, skills training, public awareness, and strict action against human smugglers and fake travel agents. They emphasized that protecting the dignity of Pakistani citizens and restoring the country’s global reputation must remain a top priority.
FAQs
1. How many Pakistanis were deported for begging this year?
Around 51,000 Pakistanis were deported or offloaded due to begging-related activities.
2. Which country deported the most Pakistanis?
Saudi Arabia, with approximately 24,000 deportations this year.
3. Were genuine Umrah pilgrims affected?
No. Only those with fake documents or false travel claims were stopped.
4. Has Pakistan made any progress in controlling illegal migration?
Yes. Pakistan’s passport ranking improved, and illegal migration to Europe dropped by 50%.
