Latest news with #Passports
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
135,000 Pakistanis sought asylum in Europe, US in two years
Listen to article As many as 135,000 Pakistanis have applied for political asylum in Europe and the United States over the past two years, a Senate committee was informed on Tuesday. The figure includes 125,000 asylum applications in different European countries and more than 10,000 in the US. The startling revelations were shared by the director general of Passports during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis which was chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada. The DG informed lawmakers that more than 52,000 Pakistanis have been deported over the past two years. Iran alone deported 34,000 Pakistani nationals attempting to enter the country illegally, while Saudi Arabia deported 5,000 Pakistani citizens involved in begging. Saudi Arabia has also reduced its work visa quota for Pakistanis and tightened the criteria for visa issuance. Meanwhile, several countries, including the UAE, Italy, the UK, and other European nations, have suspended student visa programs for Pakistani applicants. Officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis confirmed these developments, adding that some countries are bypassing legal proceedings by repatriating Pakistanis immediately under provisions of the Passport Act, rather than jailing them. The DG also disclosed that the passports of deported Pakistanis have been blocked, and those found involved in criminal activities abroad are facing strict legal consequences. Despite these setbacks, the officials said that over 10.3 million skilled and professional Pakistanis continue to work overseas, contributing to the country's economy through remittances.
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Blocks 260,000 Unauthorised Pilgrims From Entering Mecca
More than 260,000 people without Hajj permits have been turned away from entering Mecca, as part of the Kingdom's large-scale security crackdown to ensure a safe and regulated pilgrimage season. Speaking at a joint press conference of Hajj security commanders, Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Bassami, Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, confirmed that a total of 269,000 unregistered pilgrims were prevented from reaching the holy city of Mecca. Security authorities arrested 1,239 people attempting to transport unauthorised pilgrims and imposed penalties on more than 75,000 violators of Hajj regulations. They also impounded over 5,000 vehicles and turned back 110,000 others at checkpoints for attempting to carry illegal pilgrims. More than 415 fake Hajj offices were shut down, and permanent checkpoints at Mecca's entry points remain active to intercept further violations. Al Bassami highlighted the use of artificial intelligence to support enforcement efforts and ensure the integrity of the pilgrimage. 'Security personnel will remain vigilant against anyone seeking to violate Hajj regulations,' he said. Meanwhile, Major General Dr Saleh Saad Al Murabba, Director General of Passports, revealed that over 1.47 million international pilgrims have arrived so far, with the Mecca Route Initiative expanding to eight countries and 12 embarkation points. The initiative streamlines immigration procedures at departure airports, using advanced technologies and multilingual staff. Field teams are also deployed with mobile equipment to assist pilgrims and identify unregistered individuals. Maj. Gen Al Murabba urged pilgrims to depart promptly after completing Hajj to avoid legal consequences, assuring that preparations are in place to facilitate smooth exits. The Ministry of Interior has reiterated its full readiness to deal firmly with any threats to Hajj security. The State Security Presidency confirmed the implementation of robust crowd management plans, particularly at the Jamarat facility, while Special Emergency Forces are conducting field missions to protect pilgrims and prevent infiltration.
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Deported Pakistanis to face FIRs and passport cancellations, officials confirm
Listen to article Islamabad: Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi chaired an important meeting in Islamabad. It was decided during the meeting that FIRs would be registered against deported individuals and their passports would also be canceled. It was further decided that deportees would be placed on the Passport Control List for five years. On the instructions of Interior Minister, a committee has been formed under the leadership of the Interior Secretary to further strengthen and improve passport rules and regulations. The Interior Minister stated that deportees are causing embarrassment for Pakistan at International level, thus no leniency will be shown to them in the future. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, DG FIA Riffat Mukhtar Raja, and DG Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi were present on the occasion.
Saudi Gazette
17-05-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Acting Passports Chief inspects administrative centers at entry points to Makkah
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Acting Director General of Passports and Commander of the Hajj Passport Forces Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba inspected on Friday the work of the seasonal administrative committee centers at the entry points to Makkah such as Baheeta, Taniem, Shumaisi, and Al-Karr. These centers operate around the clock during the Hajj season, issuing penalties for those transporting people who do not hold valid Hajj permits. Maj. Gen. Al-Murabba called on all citizens and residents to adhere to and comply with Hajj regulations and instructions, and to help facilitate the smooth and peaceful performance of Hajj rituals for the guests of God.
Gulf Insider
26-04-2025
- Gulf Insider
3 Gulf Nationals Convicted Over Forging Kuwaiti Citizenship
Three Gulf nationals have been handed down seven-year jail sentences each on charges of forging Kuwaiti citizenship as the country is pressing ahead with a clampdown on fake citizens. The Kuwaiti Criminal Court has ordered the three defendants – a father and his two sons — to pay a combined fine of KD 2.5 million (around $8.1 million), the value of the salaries and benefits they received from the state as Kuwaiti citizens, Al Qabas newspaper reported. The case pertains to a man, who is a Gulf national, charged with colluding with a Kuwaiti citizen to unlawfully add his sons to the latter's citizenship record under different names in 1989. Subsequently, false data were provided to the Kuwaiti General Directorate of Nationality, Passports, and Citizenship to issue passports and ID cards for them. An investigation officer told the court that the Kuwaiti man accused in the case had passed away after being involved in forging citizenship and adding Gulf nationals to his name. Investigations revealed that a total of 12 cases of forged citizenship had been registered against him. Kuwait, a country of about 4.9 million people mostly expatriates, has recently intensified efforts to combat citizenship fraud and dual nationality violations to protect its national identity. As a result, thousands of individuals have had their Kuwaiti citizenship revoked since March last year due to forgery or holding a second nationality, which is prohibited under Kuwaiti law.
