ISLAMABAD: Presenting details of Pakistani nationals expelled from Gulf countries during the last five years, the Ministry of Interior told the National Assembly on Monday that a total of 164,788 Pakistanis were deported from Gulf states between January, 2021 and April, 2026.
According to a written reply submitted by the Interior Ministry to a question of Asiya Nau Tanoli in the National Assembly, Saudi Arabia deported the highest number of Pakistanis during the period, with 108,029 Pakistanis sent back to the country.
United Arab Emirates deported 40,497 Pakistanis, while Oman expelled 9,814 Pakistani nationals during the same period.
Qatar deported 2,971 Pakistanis, Bahrain 2,779, and Kuwait 698 Pakistanis between January, 2021 and April, 2026.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly was informed that Pakistani airlines were facing severe financial pressure due to a sharp increase in aviation fuel prices, forcing carriers to impose additional fuel charges on passengers.
Written details submitted to the House by the Ministry of Defence, along with responses from various airlines, showed that the share of fuel in operational costs had increased from around 30-35 per cent to nearly 50-55 per cent. In its written reply, Pakistan International Airlines said rising global fuel prices had compelled both PIA and other airlines to impose fuel adjustment charges.
The conflict has severely impacted the regional aviation industry with daily costs exceeding US$600 million, jet fuel prices rising nearly 84 per cent since February 28, 2026, and a 66 per cent drop in passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport in March.
Defence Ministry, in a written response of Air Sial, stated that the current geopolitical situation in the Gulf region, including tensions involving Iran and the United States, has further intensified existing cost pressures on the aviation sector.
In this context, the increase in air ticket prices, both in the international and domestic market has not been fully aligned with the sharp rise in jet fuel costs. Globally, jet fuel prices have increased by approximately 55-105 per cent, whereas in Pakistan the domestic jet fuel price has risen by more than 150 per cent.
As a result, the fuel component of operating costs has significantly shifted, increasing from around 30-35 per cent of total operating costs previously to approximately 50-55 per cent at present. In addition to cost escalation, market dynamics have also played a key role.
The Air Blue in its written response through Defence Ministry stated that the ongoing regional tensions between Iran and the United States have significantly impacted global fuel prices. This sharp escalation has substantially raised airline operating costs, as fuel constitutes a major component of overall flight expenses.
Historically, fuel accounted for nearly 30 per cent of total costs; however, this proportion has now surged to approximately 60 per cent, placing considerable financial strain on airline operations and challenging economic viability.
During the Question Hour, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, rejected reports regarding the alleged deportation of Pakistanis from the UAE or any Gulf country, informing the National Assembly that no such official data was available with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The minister said the Foreign Office had no information indicating that Pakistanis were being deported from the UAE or any other Middle Eastern country.
The minister said reports circulating on social media in this regard were baseless.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that no fresh recruitment for Islamabad prison staff is on the cards.
Responding to a question, he said that the services of personnel from Punjab Police, Islamabad Police and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) would be hired to run the affairs of the newly constructed Islamabad prison.
During the National Assembly session, lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat raised concerns over encroachments on green areas in Islamabad by various institutions.
Responding to the issue, the minister of state for interior said the CDA had previously issued permits for 34 locations. He said the current government had cancelled all those permits.
Talal Chaudhry informed the House that notices had been issued to 1,035 houses, while 184 encroachments had so far been removed. He added that encroachments spread over 1,100 acres had been cleared.
Replying to another question, the minister of state said no data was currently available regarding the number of Nadra offices closed due to terrorism-related concerns. He added that details regarding Nadra offices in Balochistan would be provided separately.
During the session, lawmaker Noor Alam Khan questioned the government about officials allegedly involved in the illegal issuance of identity cards and passports.
Responding to the query, Talal Chaudhry said numerous identity cards had been cancelled. He claimed Pakistan’s passport ranking had improved continuously over the past two years and would improve further in the coming years.
The minister said changes had been introduced in the passport system and that profiling mechanisms were now being used to strengthen scrutiny.
Talal Chaudhry also informed the House that the number of offloaded passengers last year was five times higher compared to previous years.
In reply to another question, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said that a quarterly release mechanism between the Ministry of Information and the Finance Division has already been agreed upon, under which funds are released every quarter in line with utilisation.
He said that many projects of the ministry are related to procurement, where payments are often made on a one-time basis; therefore, funds are released accordingly under the agreed mechanism with the Finance Ministry.
