Govt Imposes Travel Ban, Passport Cancellation for Deported Pakistanis

In a significant move to combat illegal migration and uphold Pakistan’s international image, the federal government has announced strict actions against citizens deported from foreign countries.

A high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi finalized key measures, including the registration of FIRs against all deportees and cancellation of their passports. The decision also involves placing these individuals on the passport control list for a period of five years, effectively banning them from international travel during that time.

“Deported individuals damage Pakistan’s image abroad and will no longer be shown any leniency,” stated Minister Naqvi, underscoring the seriousness of the issue. A new committee led by the Interior Secretary has been tasked with reviewing and further tightening passport regulations to prevent misuse.

Senior officials, including Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Interior Secretary, DG FIA, and DG Passport, were present at the meeting, which signals the government’s strong resolve to address the growing issue.

Official data revealed by Minister Naqvi earlier this month, in a written response to a parliamentary query by PPP MNA Sehar Kamran, showed that Saudi Arabia has deported more than 5,000 Pakistani beggars in the last 16 months.

The overall deportation figure stands at 5,402 Pakistanis, who have been expelled from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE since January 2024. Of these, 4,850 deportations occurred in 2024 alone, highlighting a pressing need for reforms and preventive measures.