Pakistani Beggars Deported 2025: Green Passport Crisis

By Saleem Mubarak

Pakistan’s green passport—once a symbol of dignity and identity—has today reached a point where it is viewed with suspicion at airports around the world.

This unfolding crisis, now widely discussed under the issue of Pakistani beggars deported 2025, has exposed deep structural and moral failures that Pakistan can no longer ignore.

Instead of bringing good news for Pakistanis, the year 2025 arrived with an embarrassment that shook the country’s diplomatic circles. Can you imagine a situation where not one or two, but thousands of people are expelled from a country simply because they went to Saudi Arabia not for worship or labor, but to beg?

This is not just the story of a few beggars. This is the story of an organized mafia that turned a sacred religious duty like Umrah into a tool for human smuggling.

This is the story of agents who lure innocent citizens with golden dreams of Europe, only to abandon them helplessly in deserts. Today, we will dissect a horrifying BBC Urdu report that reveals why thousands of Pakistanis were deported and offloaded in 2025.

Pakistani Beggars Deported 2025: The Scale of the Crisis

Recently, the revelations made by the Director General of the FIA in the Standing Committee of the National Assembly shocked everyone. According to the report, more than 30,000 Pakistanis were expelled from different countries within just one year.

From Saudi Arabia, a country where the soul of every Muslim resides, 24,000 Pakistanis were deported on charges of begging.

From the United Arab Emirates, 6,000 people were sent back for the same humiliating offense. These were people who traveled on valid visas, but their purpose was to stretch out their hands on streets, in malls, and outside mosques.

Mass Deportations and Airport Offloading Explained

But these are only the ones who were caught. In addition to them, thousands more were offloaded at Pakistan’s own airports—meaning they were not even allowed to board the plane because immigration authorities doubted their intentions.

It is being called the largest travel crisis in Pakistan’s history. Regardless of everything, this government action is commendable, because Pakistan and its dignity matter above all else.

Europe in the Name of Umrah: Inside the Smuggling Network

Now the question arises: how is all this happening? The BBC report points toward a dark business known as “Europe in the name of Umrah.”

Human smugglers and agents have devised a new formula. They lure poor people with no employment by promising them an Umrah visa. Obtaining an Umrah visa is relatively easy—but the agent’s real plan is something else. They extort hundreds of thousands of rupees and tell them that after reaching Saudi Arabia, they can travel illegally—through “Dunki” routes—to Turkey and then to Greece or Italy, meaning Europe.

Chasing this dream, people lose their entire life savings. When they reach Saudi Arabia, there is neither a route to Europe nor any job waiting for them. Driven by hunger and poverty, they start begging on the streets. Eventually, they become professional beggars, controlled by entire networks that seize a major portion of their earnings.

FIA Profiling, Airline Pressure, and New Travel Restrictions

These days, a strange scene can be witnessed at Pakistani airports. People wearing new clothes and holding Umrah visas are being taken off planes. Why?

Because the FIA has now started profiling. Officials say that individuals who have no return ticket, no hotel booking funds, and no solid financial background are believed—with 90% certainty—to have no intention of returning.

A report dated 24 November 2025 states that many passengers traveling on work visas were offloaded simply because their documents were incomplete or they were linked to groups already on blacklists.

This strictness is not only from Pakistan. Airlines are also under pressure not to carry passengers who may later be deported, because the fine is paid by the airline itself.

Green Passport Credibility and Pakistan’s Global Reputation

The statement of Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, highlights the gravity of the situation, making it clear that the government has now decided: “Enough is enough.”
From now on, anyone deported back to Pakistan on charges of begging will not be welcomed with flowers—but with handcuffs.

Such individuals will face a complete travel ban for 3 to 5 years. Their names will be placed on the Exit Control List or blacklist.
Upon arrival in Pakistan, cases will be registered against them through the FIA, and they will be sent to jail. Their passports will be blocked so they cannot travel to any other country again.

The government says that because of these few thousand people, the future of millions of Pakistanis who want to work abroad is at stake. When even one Pakistani is caught begging, it affects visa centers abroad, and visa policies for the entire country become stricter.

The Most Tragic Cost: Loss of Green Passport Credibility

What is the most tragic aspect of this entire situation? The credibility of the green passport.

An ordinary Pakistani—whether a student, a qualified doctor, or a skilled laborer—when standing at an international airport and taken aside by an immigration officer after checking their passport, feels that humiliation deeply.

Begging Abroad and the Damage to National Self-Respect

Begging is not just a crime; it is a trade-off of a nation’s self-respect. When brotherly countries like Saudi Arabia or the UAE say, “We have complaints about your citizens,” it turns into a diplomatic crisis. Our workforce that once sent remittances is now being replaced by workers from other countries—because they are not labeled with the “beggar mafia.”

According to the BBC report, these people are not acting alone. Across various Pakistani cities, agents operate organized groups. These groups arrange tickets, visas, and accommodations. In return, around 70% of the money collected by beggars is taken by mafia operatives.

This is a modern form of slavery, where the poor are shown dreams and pushed into a swamp of crime. By 2025, this mafia has strengthened its roots so deeply that it now hides under the guise of Umrah tour operators.

Are Travel Bans Enough to Break the Cycle?

Talal Chaudhry explained the bans—but is this enough? Experts believe that until Pakistan’s internal economic conditions improve and the agents colluding with airport staff are targeted, this cycle will not stop.

Catching passengers alone is not the solution. The real solution is dismantling the system that provides passports and visas to beggars while educated youth fail to secure visas despite waiting in long lines.

Friends, this crisis of 2025 is a moment of reflection for all of us. Respecting the green passport is everyone’s responsibility. If there is an agent around you selling dreams of “Europe in the name of Umrah” or “easy visas,” be warned. This path leads not to prosperity—but to humiliation and prison.

We must become a nation that believes in earning through honest labor, not in extending hands before others. The state must also ensure severe punishment for the masterminds of these mafias so that no one dares to trade Pakistan’s dignity again.

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: Saleem Mubarak is an investigative journalist, passionate writer, and keen observer of everyday life. His work combines humor, realism, and social insight to bring everyday stories to life with depth and clarity.

With a distinctive storytelling style, he brings ordinary moments to life through sharp wit and thoughtful commentary.

His writing often explores cultural trends, civic issues, and human behavior, engaging readers with both intellect and emotion.

Whether tackling serious topics or adding a touch of satire, Saleem’s words reflect his deep understanding of society and his commitment to meaningful expression.