Saudi Arabia has deported tens of thousands of Pakistani nationals amid growing concerns over organised begging and illegal activities, highlighting a widening crackdown across Gulf states that Pakistani officials say is damaging the country’s global image.
According to Pakistani authorities, Saudi Arabia alone has deported around 56,000 Pakistanis over allegations of begging, while the United Arab Emirates has imposed stricter visa restrictions on most Pakistani citizens, citing concerns that some visitors were becoming involved in criminal activity after arrival.
Data from Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) shows that in 2025 more than 66,000 passengers were stopped at airports as part of efforts to dismantle organised begging networks and curb illegal migration. FIA officials say the issue extends beyond the Gulf, with similar cases reported in Africa, Europe, and parts of Southeast Asia through the misuse of tourist visas.
Saudi Arabia had already raised the alarm last year, urging Islamabad to prevent beggars from exploiting Umrah and Hajj visas, warning that continued abuse could affect legitimate pilgrims. Legal experts in Pakistan describe begging as a well-organised industry rather than an act of individual desperation, with networks allegedly operating both domestically and abroad.
Pakistani government officials acknowledge the scale of the problem, noting that a significant majority of beggars detained in West Asian countries are Pakistani nationals — a trend they say urgently needs to be addressed to protect the country’s reputation and overseas mobility.