A recent parliamentary panel meeting revealed that approximately 135,000 Pakistanis have applied for political asylum in Western countries over the past two years, shedding light on growing migration concerns. The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, was informed of these figures during a session held on Tuesday.
The director general of passports disclosed that around 125,000 Pakistanis sought asylum in Europe, while over 10,000 did so in the United States. At the same time, 52,000 Pakistanis have been deported from neighboring countries, including 34,000 from Iran last year alone. Many deportees had their passports blocked, with strict penalties imposed on those involved in criminal activities.
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Officials further noted a tightening of visa policies by Saudi Arabia, which has reduced the number of visas issued to Pakistani nationals and raised eligibility requirements. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) added that over 5,000 beggars had been deported from Saudi Arabia since 2023.
Despite these challenges, more than 10.3 million skilled Pakistani professionals continue to work abroad, representing a significant diaspora contributing to the country’s economy.
