258 Pakistanis Deported from Seven Countries in Last 24 Hours

According to Pakistani officials, a total of 258 Pakistanis were deported from seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and China, in the past 24 hours, Inquilab news agency reported.

At Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, a spokesperson from the Immigration Department reported that among those deported, 14 held Pakistani passports, while 244 were sent back on emergency travel documents. Officials further stated that 16 of the deported individuals had been arrested, one of whom was identified as suspicious, while the others were released after questioning.

Among those deported from Saudi Arabia, nine were professional beggars. Additionally, two individuals were caught performing Hajj without permission and were sent back after serving their sentences. Officials noted that several deportees from Saudi Arabia and the UAE were working without sponsorship, and four were deported on drug-related charges. One individual each was also deported from China, Qatar, Indonesia, Cyprus, and Nigeria. They mentioned a significant increase in deportations, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) detaining 35 travelers at Karachi Airport who were traveling to various countries.

Travelers heading to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas were turned away due to insufficient funds for hotel bookings and expenses. Those wishing to travel on work visas were denied boarding due to inadequate documentation. Officials emphasized the importance of ensuring that travelers have complete documentation, appropriate visas, and sufficient funds for advance bookings to avoid such incidents.