A recent session of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis unveiled concerning migration trends, revealing that nearly 135,000 Pakistanis have applied for political asylum in Western nations over the past two years. Simultaneously, more than 52,000 individuals were deported, with a large number coming from neighboring countries, particularly Iran.
The session, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, included a comprehensive briefing from the Director General of Passports, who reported that 125,000 asylum applications were submitted to European countries, while over 10,000 applications were filed in the United States.
The DG explained that while some countries allow undocumented Pakistani migrants to remain temporarily, many choose to immediately deport them. Notably, 34,000 Pakistanis were deported from Iran in the past year alone. The passports of deportees are now blocked, and individuals found guilty of criminal offenses face strict legal actions.
Committee members were also briefed on the broader overseas employment landscape. Officials shared that more than 10.3 million skilled Pakistani professionals are currently working abroad. However, challenges persist. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis reported that Saudi Arabia has reduced visa quotas for Pakistani workers and introduced stricter eligibility criteria, making it harder for new applicants to secure employment.
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Representatives from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) further disclosed that over 52,000 Pakistanis have been deported since 2023. Among them, 5,000 were expelled from Saudi Arabia for involvement in begging, highlighting a growing issue with unskilled or undocumented labor migration.
The revelations underscore growing concerns about irregular migration, deportations, and the need for comprehensive policies to support and manage Pakistan’s large diaspora effectively.
