Karachi: A total of 131 Pakistani nationals have been deported from 12 different countries due to various legal issues, as reported by The News International. These expulsions occurred earlier on Friday and are attributed to offenses such as drug-related crimes, illegal entry, and violations of employment regulations.
Saudi Arabia was the primary country involved, sending back 74 Pakistani citizens for alleged drug trafficking and for leaving their jobs without notice. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also deported several Pakistani nationals, citing illegal entry, theft, and drug offenses. In one instance, an individual was denied entry upon arrival and sent back immediately, while another was deported from the UAE after reportedly attempting self-harm.
In addition to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, other Pakistani nationals were expelled from countries including Oman, Cambodia, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Mexico. Moreover, two suspected human smugglers were deported from Mauritania and Senegal.
Upon their return to Pakistan, 16 deportees were handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for further investigation, while six others were transferred to local law enforcement agencies in Larkana, Kalat, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, and Rawalpindi for additional inquiries.
During this period, immigration officials at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi also denied departure to 86 passengers for various reasons. Among those affected, 30 Umrah pilgrims were offloaded because they lacked advance hotel reservations and sufficient funds for their trip. Additionally, seven young travelers with student visas for Cyprus, the UK, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan were not allowed to board their flights. Travelers with tourist visas for various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and several African and Asian destinations, were similarly barred from traveling. Some individuals who were blacklisted from working in Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia were also stopped from boarding their flights.