Pakistanis deported from UAE, GCC nations to have passports cancelled
Passports of Pakistanis deported from the UAE, GCC, Europe and other countries will be cancelled upon arrival in the country. This was announced following a meeting of Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, chaired by federal interior minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Government-owned news channel PTV reported that the meeting was held in the capital Islamabad where it was decided that the first information report (FIR) will be lodged against people deported from other countries and their passports will also be cancelled.
Moreover, their names will also be placed on the passport control list for five years, putting restrictions on them to travel abroad.
This decision was taken after some countries reported nationals of the South Asian country engaging in activities that contravened the resident country's laws and regulations. Thousands of people were deported from the Gulf and European countries — including over 5,000 from Saudi Arabia — for illegal stays and their involvement in beggary.
A committee has been formed at the federal level which will look into the affairs.
There are millions of Pakistanis living and working in foreign countries, mainly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Europe, the US, Australia, Malaysia and others.
Last week, Pakistani citizens in UAE were warned about fraudulent employment schemes abroad. The missions in the UAE asked job seekers to exercise caution when applying to online job advertisements offered abroad.
In an interview with Khaleej Times last year, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan's ambassador to the UAE, asked his compatriots to avoid looking for jobs when they come to the UAE on a tourist visa as well as meet the visit visa requirements, such as hotel accommodation, return tickets, and sufficient funds.
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