The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, held a significant meeting at the Parliament House to address pressing issues concerning overseas Pakistanis. The key topics discussed included the five-year blockage of passports, registration of FIRs against deportees from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and other Western countries, and the causes behind the increasing incidents of deportation due to beggary and fake documents.
Officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development informed the committee that approximately 7,873 Pakistanis were deported between 2019 and 2025 for various reasons, with around 1,064 deported specifically for beggary. Out of these deportees, 1,460 individuals had been sent abroad through 691 Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs). Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro raised concerns about the measures taken by the ministry to curb beggary and other crimes that tarnish the nation’s image.
In response, ministry officials revealed that they have initiated the cancellation of passports for all deportees to discourage the growing trend of beggary, notably committed by Pakistani nationals in Gulf countries. However, Senator Shahadat Awan argued that a passport could not be canceled for crimes committed outside Pakistan’s territorial jurisdiction. The committee also probed the actions taken against OEPs involved in sending deportees abroad. Officials stated that show-cause notices were issued to the OEPs involved.
The committee recommended that the ministry initiate criminal proceedings against those implicated and provide details of the OEPs responsible for sending a significant number of Pakistanis abroad who were later involved in beggary and other criminal activities. This situation not only brings humiliation to Pakistan but also disrupts friendly relations with brotherly countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, and Oman. The committee also requested segregated data for 5,000 deportees who traveled on permits and visit visas to assess the role of OEPs in this matter.
Furthermore, officials from the Interior Ministry reported that approximately 58,000 Pakistanis have been deported since 2023, with 5,600 deported specifically for beggary from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, according to data from the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) and Pakistan Missions Abroad. The ministry has added the names of these deportees to the Passport Control List (PCL).
DG Passport and Immigration, Mustafa Jamal Kazi, briefed the committee on the growing trend of overstaying by Pakistanis visiting Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq for pilgrimage. In the past year, around 34,000 Pakistanis were deported from Iran, and approximately 50,000 were deported from Iraq. Additionally, he highlighted the increasing number of Pakistani nationals seeking asylum in European countries, with around 125,000 asylum seekers reported in the last year. The committee requested a report from DG Passport and Immigration regarding the 24,000 speaking orders issued to assist deportees in the past three months.
The committee was also briefed on the economic diplomacy efforts aimed at increasing the migration of skilled labor abroad. The Managing Director of the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC), Naseer Khan Kashani, shared that around 10.3 million skilled Pakistani workers are employed in various countries. The OEC has Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 18 countries, with an additional 15 MoUs under consideration. The focus is on the migration of skilled labor to contribute effectively to host countries’ economies and Pakistan through remittances. The committee appreciated the OEC’s efforts and decided to visit the laboratories established by the OEC in an upcoming meeting.
In attendance were Senators Shahadat Awan, Syed Kazim Ali Shah, Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Gurdeep Singh, Khalida Ateeb, Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, Managing Director OEC Naseer Khan Kashani, DG Passport and Immigration Mustafa Jamal Kazi, and senior officials from relevant departments.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://www.dailyparliamenttimes.com/2025/06/03/senator-zeeshan-khanzada-chairs-meeting-of-ssc-on-overseas-pakistanis-and-human-resource-development/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.