In a major crackdown on immigration, more than 100 Pakistani nationals have been deported from Saudi Arabia, Canada and the UAE in cases of visa violation, illegal stay and labour law breach. The number of deportations has been rising as it indicates the problems going on in the present scenario with overseas workers and travellers who do not meet legal requirements.
Saudi Arabia Tops the List
The most severe action was taken by the Saudi authorities, as they deported 42 people. These included five blacklisted Pakistanis, 13 accused of begging and five who had overstayed their visas. Furthermore, 16 workers were to be expelled for violating their employment contracts while 23 absconders—those who had left their jobs without informing their sponsors—were also sent back.
The Kafala system is an important factor as 13 Pakistanis were deported for working without a legal sponsor. Saudi labour laws force foreign workers to officially get a sponsor who should be responsible for their working contract. Violations normally end in deportation and blacklisting.
Canada, UAE and Iraq also Crack Down
Besides deportations in Saudi Arabia, from where the majority deportation happened, other nations followed suit. Canada deported one Pakistani for visa overstaying while Iraq removed seven people for residence without permission. In the UAE, one Pakistani national was turned back due to a lack of proper documentation; nine others were deported after their jail terms had been served. Three blacklisted people were deported from Oman and Somaliland. These countries ensured proper border controls remained strict.
Troubles on the Travel Front
Karachi Airport immigration authorities also detained 47 Pakistani passengers from travelling due to issues of visa and documentation. Among them were three blacklisted individuals and several passengers who attempted to travel to the UK, Turkey and Saudi Arabia under suspicious circumstances, respectively.
Notably, 19 Umrah pilgrims were offloaded due to a lack of hotel bookings and insufficient financial proof, reflecting stricter travel regulations for religious visitors. Other passengers were denied travel to destinations like Thailand, Malaysia and South Africa due to visa inconsistencies.
Read More: Pakistani Umrah Pilgrims Denied Boarding Over Polio Certificates
The Bigger Picture
These deportations and travelling restrictions point towards increased scrutiny on immigration processes. Most Pakistani workers and visitors experience problems due to ignorance regarding visa rules, labour contracts and documentation. The scenario reflects the requirement of improved legal counselling and support systems that would avert all kinds of breaches and make the procedure of migration smooth.
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