Muslim Pakistanis have been regularly deported from Saudi Arabia for many reasons, including not having a valid work permit, visa overstay, or overstepping labor laws. But their cases often appear to be shrouded in mystery since few details are ever made public. For those affected by the deportation, losing their job and source of income in a foreign country with inferior rights than in ones home country induces a feeling of distress and fear.
In 2019, the Gulf news reported thousands of Pakistani workers had been deported from Saudi Arabia, and particularly from the Eastern Province of the country. In response, Saudi officials denied the statement, while at the same time admitting that some labor laws had been violated. Likewise, Pakistani Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Syed Zulfikar Bukhari, also affirmed denials, explaining that Pakistanis did not make up the majority of the deportees.
Despite the denial from both parties, Pakistani government officials in Riyadh have admitted that cases of deportation of Muslim Pakistanis are widespread and growing. This has caused Pakistan to take closer notice of Pakistani nationals in the Kingdom, actively reporting cases of abuse and assisting those at risk of deportation. In addition, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry has been meeting with the Saudi government to raise awareness and work on a resolution.
Though deportations are new for Pakistanis, Muslims from other countries with a similar history of oppression have long been targeted and deported as a consequence. This include Middle Eastern countries such as Yemen, Somalia, and Syria. Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations have made continuous reports on the violations of the rights of the deportees. They have documented experiences of mentally and physically abusive legislation. Also, the economic exclusions resulting from the deportations are often not addressed.
In Saudi Arabia, many of the deportations have triggered a feeling of loss, grief and deep sadness among the Muslim Pakistani community. Many of them not only lose their jobs, but also are deprived of their social networks. Most Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia do not have family members in the Saudi Kingdom and rely on their working relationships and social circles.
The deportation of the Muslim Pakistanis has become a source of alarm among the citizens of the country which exposes them to the risk of statelessness and arbitrary detention upon arrival. Pakistan has prioritised preventative action to reduce further deportations from the kingdom, but has also stressed the importance of due process and giving the deportees a fair chance to challenge their deportation. In conclusion the deportations are a much-feared event for many Pakistani families. Unnecessarily, this leads to inescapable reverberations.
Exploitation of Muslim Pakistanis
The deportation of Muslim Pakistanis has served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of migrant workers in the Gulf Region. Reports have consistently highlighted the harsh working conditions and exploitation in some areas of Saudi Arabia. This places many workers of Pakistani, Indian and other neighbouring countries in positions of severe economic and physical hardship.
Media reports detailing cases of murder, exploitation, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse are yet another stark example of the mistreatment these workers face. Numerous news outlets have raised the alarm over the Saudi authorities’ unwillingness to protect its undocumented foreign workers from violence. In addition, these workers often do not receive their full wage and are usually denied their right to organise in a trade union or collective.
The concerns and desires of the workers are routinely suppressed and ignored. Their grievances are not addressed and their working conditions are not monitored. This leaves them highly vulnerable to exploitation and deportation. Moreover, deportations serve as a form of coercion and manipulation used by employers to prevent workers from reporting abuse.
Legal protection
Though there is no law in Saudi Arabia requiring permission for Muslims of other countries to enter, there is an obligation for would-be visitors to obtain a work permit or visa. Locals, including Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals, have to wait a full year before they can apply for an exit visa. Without prior permission for expatriates to work, they can be refused entry at Saudi airports and deported back to their countries of origin.
Nevertheless, Pakistan has cooperated with Saudi Arabia in order to ensure that Pakistani immigrant workers are guaranteed the protection of their legal rights. This has included setting up accessible grievance mechanisms and reaching out to Pakistani diplomats in Riyadh. It is hoped, Pakistan’s efforts with its direct involvement in the defence of its citizens will eventually have some positive outcomes for the Afghan people subject to deportation.
Pakistan Government has also been supporting Pakistani immigrants in Saudi Arabia with economic and legal assistance. This includes the provision of legal advice to those who have been unlawfully detained or who have unexplainable difficulties in obtaining visas and work permits.
Religious Considerations
There are a number of ways religion can be of assistance in addressing the issue of deportations of Muslim Pakistanis from Saudi Arabia. For instance, it can provide guidance for immigrants on how to live responsibly in a Muslim country and help ensure that they follow the laws of the land. Immigrants should also exercise respect for the culture and community of Saudi Arabia as they seek to contribute to the Kingdom.
Muslims in Saudi Arabia, especially immigrants, must also adhere to the Islamic principle of equality. Muslims are expected to respect the laws of the host country regardless of the country’s particular beliefs or religious practices. People should also be aware of the basic religious beliefs and moral standards of the host country and should not be overly critical of different beliefs or practices.
Furthermore, Muslim immigrants should recognize that they should be an active and law-abiding Muslim in the eyes of the Saudi Arabian government. Following the teachings of the Quran, they should strive to become an example of good citizenship for their fellow Muslim brothers and sisters.
International Repercussions
The deportations of Muslim Pakistanis from Saudi Arabia have had a number of repercussions beyond Pakistan’s borders. The most recent example of this was the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, caused by the deportations. Saudi Arabia’s actions have been seen as a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and further estrangement of the two countries have led to serious implications for their foreign policy.
The Muslim world has also been watching with interest as the situation in Saudi Arabia continues to escalate. Muslim organisations and international law groups have markedly criticised the Saudi government’s behaviour, while condemning discrimination against both immigrants and minorities. Islamic charities have worked to support the immediate needs of those affected by deportations, providing housing, food, and medical aid.
The international community has called for Saudi Arabia to respect the human rights of those living in the country as well as for Pakistan to take a more active role in defending the rights of Pakistani nationals. Both countries have legally and politically committed to uphold the basic international standards of human rights for their citizens and in 2018, Pakistan declared itself as a “human rights defender” and entered the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Economic Ramifications
The deportations of Muslim Pakistanis from Saudi Arabia has led to unavoidable economic ramifications, both for those affected and for Saudi Arabia. The vast majority of the deportees had found employment with Saudi-based international companies and their financial needs were guaranteed by their Saudi employers.
Deportees were often forced to return to Pakistan with no money, access to legal aid, or even housing. This not only has economic implications for those returning, but for the Saudi economy as well, as it leads to a decreased availability of low-skilled labor. The experience of deportations is very traumatic and many of those affected are at risk of further persecution and suffering in their homeland.
The Saudi government is also faced with accusations of racism and discrimination targeting particular ethnic and religious minorities. This implies that the deportations could be based on prejudice rather than due to any sort of infraction of the law. As a consequence, it is reasonable to view the deportations as part of a larger geopolitical calculation on the part of Saudi Arabia.
The deportations and the economic repercussions associated with them are especially consequential in a time of global economic slow down. The ongoing diplomatic tension between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia could have serious implications for their respective economies, and for the wider region as well.
