Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Saturday that Pakistanis deported from foreign countries will have their passports cancelled and face legal action upon return. The decision follows a rise in cases of deportation, particularly for begging.
Over the past 16 months, Saudi Arabia has deported 5,033 Pakistani nationals for begging. An additional 369 were caught engaging in similar activities in five other countries. In April alone, 106 deportees from European nations arrived back in Islamabad.
Following a key meeting in Islamabad chaired by Naqvi, it was decided that not only will returning deportees have their passports cancelled, but a First Information Report (FIR) will also be registered against them. According to PTV News, their names will be added to a passport control list, barring them from applying for travel documents for the next five years.
A new committee, headed by the Interior Secretary, has been established to strengthen and enforce stricter passport issuance policies. The objective is to prevent misuse and discourage individuals from engaging in activities that tarnish Pakistan’s international reputation.
Minister Naqvi emphasised that these deportees have brought embarrassment to Pakistan on the global stage, and that the government will no longer show leniency. The move marks a shift towards a stricter immigration and travel policy, aimed at protecting national image and preventing future violations.
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