Over 5,000 beggars have returned to Pakistan since 2024

Pakistan's Interior Ministry recently revealed the number of Pakistani beggars deported from different countries, as reported by ARY News. A total of 5,402 Pakistani beggars have been repatriated from abroad since 2024, according to a written statement submitted to the National Assembly. The countries from where these beggars were deported include Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar and Oman. In 2024 alone, 4,850 Pakistani beggars were deported, of which, the majority, 4,498 were sent back from Saudi Arabia and 242 from Iraq. Other countries like Malaysia and UAE sent back 55 and 49 beggars respectively.

The number of deportations continued in 2025, with 552 Pakistani beggars being repatriated from different countries. This includes 535 from Saudi Arabia, nine from the UAE and five from Iraq, according to the Interior Ministry report. Additionally, ARY News reported that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) recently stopped three women beggars from boarding a flight to Saudi Arabia, where they were attempting to travel in the guise of Umrah pilgrims. During a routine check at Karachi airport, the FIA found that the women did not have return tickets and hotel bookings, which aroused suspicion.

The women were earlier also stopped at the Lahore airport for similar reasons. The deportation of Pakistani beggars from foreign countries has become a significant issue, especially in Gulf countries and other regions where a large number of Pakistani migrants live. Many Pakistani citizens are deported for begging, which is considered both illegal and socially undesirable. However, deportation often creates additional problems.

Pakistan's ongoing problem with the deportation of beggars from foreign countries is deeply rooted in several socio-economic and structural factors. A large part of Pakistan's population is struggling with extreme poverty, and many are forced to beg for a living due to lack of job opportunities. Many of these beggars go abroad in search of better prospects, but get caught in difficult situations and start begging.