ISLAMABAD: Gulf countries have deported tens of thousands of Pakistani nationals in 2025 due to involvement in illegal stay, criminal activities, and visa violations.

The details were recently presented in Pakistan’s National Assembly, highlighting the challenges faced by both the deportees and authorities abroad.

According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, a total of 38,616 Pakistanis were deported last year. Among these, 786 were from Bahrain, 163 from Kuwait, 2,537 from Oman, 27,692 from Saudi Arabia, 6,794 from the UAE, and 644 from Qatar.

The deported individuals were found involved in illegal stay, visa violations, begging, theft, expired residence permits, and other crimes.

In related developments, the Ministry of Interior reported that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted 551 raids against illegal currency businesses, hawala operations, and other financial crimes, registering 576 cases and arresting 703 suspects. Sentences were handed down in 324 cases.

Additionally, the Ministry of Defence informed the Assembly that Pakistan has developed a comprehensive national utilization framework, with the country’s first hyperspectral satellite currently undergoing orbital testing.

Once testing is complete, image data will be available to various organizations by the end of the month. The framework is expected to provide services in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.