More than 38,000 Pakistanis were deported from Gulf countries during 2025, the National Assembly was informed in a detailed report highlighting overseas violations and legal breaches.
According to the figures presented, a total of 38,000-plus Pakistanis were sent back to the country for various offences, bringing the issue into the spotlight.
Saudi Arabia topped the list, deporting 27,692 Pakistani nationals. The United Arab Emirates followed with 6,794 deportations, while Oman sent back 2,537 individuals. Bahrain deported 786 Pakistanis, Qatar 644, and Kuwait 163 during the same period.
The report revealed that 780 Pakistanis were deported specifically for begging. Of these, 767 were expelled from Saudi Arabia, 10 from the UAE, two from Qatar and one from Oman. Authorities described professional begging as a growing concern damaging the country’s image abroad.
In addition, 1,025 Pakistanis were deported over involvement in drug-related offences, while 109 individuals were expelled on charges of theft.
Officials told lawmakers that strict action is being taken to curb illegal migration and unlawful activities overseas. They stressed that such incidents not only land individuals in hot water but also cast a shadow on the country’s reputation.
The matter sparked concern among members of the assembly, who called for stronger screening mechanisms before departure and better awareness campaigns to prevent citizens from falling into the wrong hands.
Lawmakers emphasized that while overseas employment remains a lifeline for millions of families, breaking the law abroad comes at a heavy price. They urged citizens to respect the rules of host countries and avoid shortcuts that could backfire.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to working with Gulf authorities to address the issue and ensure that Pakistan’s name is upheld with dignity on foreign soil.
Separately, the National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that no formally structured “Information Literacy Programme (ILP)” is currently operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; however, various affiliated departments are implementing related initiatives through different platforms.
Responding to a question by Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Daniyal Chaudhry said the ministry’s institutions were carrying out programmes through different forums aimed at enhancing public awareness and responsible media engagement, though not under a specific programme name.
He said Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is running training courses and awareness programmes through various forums. The PTV Drama and Film Academy is also conducting capacity-building initiatives for media professionals, focusing on digital literacy, artificial intelligence (AI), ethical journalism, credible news production and public awareness content.
Similarly, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), through Radio Pakistan, is promoting media and information literacy nationwide, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Through its Programme Wing and News and Current Affairs Channel, the corporation incorporates themes such as responsible use of information, digital awareness and countering misinformation into programmes broadcast in 23 languages. These include educational, youth, women, religious, and current affairs content.
The Parliamentary Secretary added that the Press Information Department (PID) is also conducting different outreach and awareness programmes. Its Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Cell has organized seminars, training sessions and outreach activities for journalists, students and civil society members. Over the past two years, the PID has also executed large-scale communication campaigns addressing fake news, cybersecurity, national security, Kashmir, the economy and youth empowerment.
The Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) is supporting media literacy through internship programmes and seminars in collaboration with universities, UNESCO and other stakeholders. These initiatives focus on ethical journalism and combating misinformation.
He further informed the House that the Information Service Academy (ISA) is conducting specialized training programmes, mid-career courses, AI workshops, seminars and academic outreach activities during 2024-25, integrating information and media literacy, ethics and digital communication skills into its structured curricula.
The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) is also contributing by ensuring accurate and ethical dissemination of news and conducting regular training sessions on fake news, AI in journalism, and media ethics.
He said recently, we organized a series of seminars in which schoolchildren actively participated, including three international-level programs. In addition, the programs being aired on Radio Pakistan-particularly during the morning transmission-are also addressing social media and related contemporary issues. Moving forward, we are planning to hold three similar programs at the Press Council to further expand this outreach initiative.