According to Pakistani media outlet Geo TV report, several Gulf countries have raised issues regarding the behaviour of Pakistani expatriates and labourers.
The Pakistani government reportedly revealed this information during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis. Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, Dr Arshad, informed the committee that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait had expressed reservations about overseas Pakistanis.
This disclosure follows a report from the ministry in September 2023, highlighting that beggars constituted the largest group of Pakistanis leaving the country.
The official stated that Pakistani beggars often travel to Iraq and Saudi Arabia under the pretence of pilgrimage (ziarat). Many individuals visit Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas and then engage in begging activities. The secretary noted that 90% of the beggars arrested were Pakistani nationals.
Secretary Dr Arshad informed the committee that approximately 0.6 to 0.8 million Pakistanis travel abroad annually, with 200,000 to 300,000 returning each year. He stated that 96% of these travellers go to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Highlighting issues faced by Pakistani expatriates, officials mentioned that the UAE reported exceeding its quota of 1.6 million Pakistanis, now reaching 1.8 million. They also noted that Pakistanis often extend their stay in Malaysia beyond the allowed period, resulting in imprisonment, and some have illegally remained in Iraq, though their exact numbers are unknown.
Senator Nasir Abbas noted that Bangladeshis are securing more jobs than Pakistanis. He mentioned that Pakistanis in Iraq are “helpless” and employed as cheap labour, often kept as “prisoners.”
He pointed out that Iraq needs labour for ongoing development projects. In response, overseas officials mentioned that Pakistanis in Iraq have numerous complaints.
The officials informed the committee that 2 million Pakistanis live in Saudi Arabia, with 0.4 million going there annually. Saudi authorities have requested Pakistan not to send “beggars and sick people,”.
The overseas ministry officials remarked that Pakistanis going abroad are primarily “unskilled” and lack proper training, resulting in other nationals replacing them. They also highlighted issues with Pakistanis’ work ethics, attitudes, and involvement in crime, noting that Pakistanis are responsible for 50% of the crimes in the UAE.
However, the current situation is even more alarming, as it involves inappropriate behaviour by Pakistanis in the UAE, including incidents of filming women in Dubai.
Officials noted that other nations are becoming “suspicious” of Pakistanis and are beginning to favour workers from different countries. They detailed that 600,000 to 800,000 Pakistanis travel abroad annually, with 96% heading to the Middle East.
West Asian countries miffed with Pakistani diaspora, Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis have been told. Pakistanis found behind 50% crimes in the UAE, Saudi has asked Pakistan to not send “beggars and sick people”. Pak media Reports:https://t.co/2tO8gViaAY
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 30, 2024
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