New Delhi: Several Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, have expressed serious concerns regarding the conduct of Pakistani expatriates and the labour force.
The issue was highlighted by Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Dr Arshad at a Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, where he mentioned that multiple Gulf countries have expressed reservations about the behaviour of overseas Pakistanis.
Dr Arshad noted that the work ethics, attitudes, and criminal activities of Pakistanis are significant concerns. In the UAE, it has been reported that Pakistanis are involved in 50 per cent of crimes, as indicated by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
He pointed out that these countries have brought up a particularly worrying issue regarding the “inappropriate” behaviour of Pakistanis in the UAE, which includes making videos in front of women in Dubai.
Kuwait has highlighted a problem with Pakistani nurses who reportedly refuse to perform certain job-related duties, delegating them to ward boys for regular day-to-day tasks. Additionally, they are reluctant to learn the local language and aspire to move to Europe after just a six-month stay in Kuwait.
Qatar has complained about Pakistani labourers who refuse to wear safety helmets during work, as reported by officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis.
Previously, in September 2023, it was reported that Pakistani beggars travel to countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia under the guise of ‘Ziarat’ (pilgrimage) and engage in begging.
Official data reveals that Pakistani nationals constitute 90 per cent of the beggars apprehended in these countries.
Moreover, officials have stated that approximately 2 million Pakistanis reside in Saudi Arabia, with 400,000 new arrivals each year.
Saudi Arabian authorities have requested that Pakistan refrain from sending “beggars and sick people,” as per the officials.
The officials also mentioned that Pakistanis visit Malaysia for a year and are then incarcerated after extending their stay.