Islamabad, 4 June 2025: Passport Cancellation Drive The federal government has launched a stringent initiative to revoke passports of thousands of Pakistani citizens repatriated over the past six years following their involvement in illegal activities, including organized begging, in foreign nations.
During a recent briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, senior officials from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis revealed that nearly 7,873 individuals were deported between 2019 and 2025.
The committee session, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada at Parliament House, examined the alarming surge in deportation cases.
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According to ministry data, approximately 5,600 deportees were returned from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, after being apprehended for engaging in street-level begging networks.
In response, authorities have taken decisive action by placing the names of these individuals on the Passport Control List (PCL) a step that signals the beginning of Pakistan’s Passport Cancellation Drive.
Officials noted that the measure aims to dissuade citizens from misusing travel privileges and undermining the country’s reputation overseas.
The Director General of Passport and Immigration, Mustafa Jamal Kazi, addressed the committee with additional concerns.
He pointed out a troubling increase in the number of Pakistani nationals overstaying their pilgrimage visas, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq.
According to Kazi, around 34,000 Pakistanis were deported from Iran last year alone, while 50,000 were returned from Iraq during the same period.
Beyond overstays, Kazi also highlighted the growing phenomenon of asylum applications by Pakistani nationals in Europe.
He disclosed that over the past year, approximately 125,000 Pakistanis had sought asylum across various European states a trend that reflects deeper socio-economic challenges and potentially creates diplomatic strains.
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The government’s Passport Cancellation Drive is being positioned as part of a wider crackdown on activities that tarnish Pakistan’s global standing.
Officials maintain that these moves are essential to reinforce lawful migration and promote responsible behavior among overseas citizens.
With deportation figures climbing and international scrutiny intensifying, Pakistani authorities are signaling a clear shift toward accountability and regulation in matters of foreign travel.
The Passport Cancellation Drive is expected to expand as investigations continue into cases involving misuse of travel documents and violations of host country laws.
