Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has deported tens of thousands of Pakistani nationals this year as authorities in the Gulf intensify action against organised begging networks, a development that has prompted concern within Pakistan over its growing diplomatic and reputational fallout.
According to officials familiar with the matter, nearly 24,000 Pakistanis were expelled from Saudi Arabia in 2025 on charges linked to begging. The United Arab Emirates has also tightened entry rules for Pakistani citizens, with visa curbs introduced after security agencies flagged cases of criminal activity involving some visitors.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) says the trend reflects a wider, organised pattern rather than isolated incidents. Data compiled by the agency shows that more than 66,000 passengers were stopped from travelling abroad this year as part of efforts to disrupt begging syndicates and prevent misuse of visas.
FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar warned that these activities are damaging Pakistan’s image overseas. He noted that while Gulf countries remain a major focus, similar cases have emerged involving destinations in Africa and Europe. Authorities have also detected the use of short-term tourist visas to countries such as Thailand and Cambodia for illicit purposes, he added.
Beyond Saudi Arabia, other countries have taken similar action. Around 6,000 Pakistani nationals were reportedly deported from Dubai, while Azerbaijan returned approximately 2,500 individuals accused of engaging in begging.
The issue has been a point of contention for several years. In 2024, Saudi officials formally raised concerns with Islamabad, urging it to stop individuals from exploiting Umrah visas to solicit alms in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Riyadh cautioned that failure to act could affect arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims.
Legal analysts in Pakistan have described begging abroad as a structured operation rather than a result of individual hardship. In an earlier commentary, lawyer Rafia Zakaria characterised the practice as a well-organised industry that has expanded beyond Pakistan’s borders, particularly targeting religious sites where pilgrims gather in large numbers.
Senior government officials have echoed these concerns. Last year, Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis Zeeshan Khanzada said a vast majority of beggars detained in West Asian countries were Pakistani, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing authorities as they seek to rein in the networks and restore confidence among host nations.
