950 Pakistanis deported over alleged begging abroad
Updated on:
As many as 950 Pakistanis were deported during 2025-26 over allegations of begging abroad, with Saudi Arabia accounting for 897 deportations, official figures showed.
LAHORE (Web Desk) - As many as 950 Pakistanis were deported from different countries during 2025-26 over allegations of begging abroad, while 49 passengers were offloaded at Karachi airport for allegedly travelling overseas for the same purpose.
According to official figures, Saudi Arabia accounted for the overwhelming majority of deportations, with 897 Pakistanis sent back during the year.
The United Arab Emirates deported 22 Pakistanis, while 11 each were deported from Iraq and Oman. Five Pakistanis were deported from Qatar, while Bahrain and Malaysia each sent back one Pakistani national.
The data also showed that 49 passengers were offloaded at Karachi airport on suspicion of travelling abroad for begging.
Of these, 21 passengers were bound for Saudi Arabia, seven for Bahrain, five each for the UAE and Qatar, four for Oman and three for Malaysia.
One passenger each travelling to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Türkiye was also offloaded over similar suspicions.
Read also: Pakistanis deported from multiple countries for begging, NA panel told
Sources said all passengers who were offloaded were shifted to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for further investigation and legal action.
The figures highlight growing concerns over Pakistanis travelling abroad for begging and the possible involvement of organised human-trafficking networks.
The large number of deportations from Saudi Arabia also underscores the need for stricter screening and preventive measures before passengers leave the country.