Deported Pakistanis to Face 5-Year Travel Bans and Legal Action

  Last updated on 29 May, 2025

The government of Pakistan has introduced new measures targeting citizens who are deported from other countries. Moving beyond previous leniency, authorities may now cancel the passports of all deported individuals and add them to a control list that restricts international travel for five years and above.

This decision follows increasing international complaints, particularly from Gulf nations.

Most Complaints Came from Gulf Countries

According to State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the policy change is immediate and aims to discourage misuse of travel documents. Previously, only individuals involved in criminal proceedings abroad were subjected to such restrictions. Now, any form of deportation, whether for begging, illegal entry, or overstaying, will trigger legal consequences and travel bans.

Official figures show that more than 5,400 Pakistanis have been deported in the past 18 months, mostly from Saudi Arabia. Many were sent back on allegations of begging or immigration violations. Authorities have linked this trend to rising cases of human smuggling and illegal migration, prompting a national crackdown on agents and facilitators.

Strict Action on Deported Citizens

The Ministry of Interior has also confirmed ongoing legislation to address the issue of Pakistanis deported for various reasons. A committee has been formed to toughen penalties and prevent global embarrassment caused by such actions. In 2023, a tragic incident in Greece highlighted the human cost of these illegal migration attempts when over 260 Pakistani nationals died in a capsized boat.

Passport and immigration officials added that Pakistan is now implementing updated protocols to prevent further abuse of its travel documents. Individuals deported with criminal records may even return with red notices or formal charges, and those with expired visas face heavy fines and blacklisting. The government aims to send a clear message: misusing official documents or engaging in unlawful behavior abroad will come at a serious cost.