135,000 Pakistanis seek asylum abroad
It was revealed during the meeting of a parliamentary panel that around 135,000 Pakistanis have sought political asylum in western countries in the last two years. The committee was also told that 52,000 Pakistanis have been deported from neighboring countries including Iran during the same period.
The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis held a meeting on Tuesday. During the session, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, the director general of passports revealed that 125,000 Pakistanis in Europe and more than 10,000 in the United States had applied for political asylum.
He informed the committee that some countries do not jail Pakistani nationals who arrive there through illegal means but immediately repatriate them to Pakistan.
"34,000 Pakistanis were deported from Iran last year. The passports of deported individuals have been blocked, while those involved in criminal activities are being given strict punishments," he said.
The DG noted that over 10.3 million skilled Pakistani professionals are currently working abroad.
Earlier, officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis stated that Saudi Arabia has reduced the number of visas issued to Pakistanis and tightened the eligibility criteria.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) briefed the committee that since 2023, over 52,000 Pakistanis have been deported, including 5,000 beggars deported from Saudi Arabia.
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