135,000 Pakistanis sought asylum in Europe, US in two years

Saudi Arabia deported 5,000 Pakistani citizens involved in begging, Senate committee has learnt

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ISLAMABAD:

As many as 135,000 Pakistanis have applied for political asylum in Europe and the United States over the past two years, a Senate committee was informed on Tuesday. The figure includes 125,000 asylum applications in different European countries and more than 10,000 in the US.

The startling revelations were shared by the director general of Passports during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis which was chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada.

The DG informed lawmakers that more than 52,000 Pakistanis have been deported over the past two years. Iran alone deported 34,000 Pakistani nationals attempting to enter the country illegally, while Saudi Arabia deported 5,000 Pakistani citizens involved in begging.

Saudi Arabia has also reduced its work visa quota for Pakistanis and tightened the criteria for visa issuance. Meanwhile, several countries, including the UAE, Italy, the UK, and other European nations, have suspended student visa programs for Pakistani applicants.

Officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis confirmed these developments, adding that some countries are bypassing legal proceedings by repatriating Pakistanis immediately under provisions of the Passport Act, rather than jailing them.

The DG also disclosed that the passports of deported Pakistanis have been blocked, and those found involved in criminal activities abroad are facing strict legal consequences.

Despite these setbacks, the officials said that over 10.3 million skilled and professional Pakistanis continue to work overseas, contributing to the country’s economy through remittances.