Iran & Iraq deports over 84000 Pakistani National from their countries: Humiliation for Pakistan both diplomatically and socially

The recent deportation of over 34,000 Pakistani nationals from Iran and 50,000 from Iraq highlights a growing crisis for Pakistan, both diplomatically and socially. Iran’s reported warning to Pakistan, urging it not to send “beggars,” highlights the strain in bilateral relations, with Tehran cracking down on illegal migration and activities like begging that it claims tarnish its image. Iraq’s deportations similarly point to issues with Pakistani migrants overstaying visas, often entering on religious pilgrimage permits but engaging in unauthorized work or other activities.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s acknowledgment of the visa crisis reflects broader challenges, as countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and even European nations have tightened visa policies for Pakistanis due to concerns over illegal migration, begging, and criminal activities. For instance, Saudi Arabia has reduced work visa quotas for Pakistanis, and the UAE and others have suspended student visa programs. This situation is compounded by reports of 125,000 Pakistanis seeking asylum in Europe, further damaging Pakistan’s global image.

The Pakistani government has responded by blocking passports of deportees—over 10,000 from Iran and 1,500 from Iraq—to deter illegal migration and activities like begging. However, critics argue these measures, including passport cancellations, may violate legal norms, as crimes committed abroad often fall outside Pakistan’s jurisdiction. The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis is pushing for stricter oversight of Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) and criminal proceedings against those facilitating illegal migration.

This crisis not only embarrasses Pakistan diplomatically but also highlights systemic issues like poverty and unemployment driving citizens to seek opportunities abroad, often through risky and illegal means. The government’s efforts to promote skilled labor migration and negotiate new agreements with Gulf countries aim to address this, but the immediate fallout continues to strain Pakistan’s international relations and reputation.