ISLAMABAD: In a major move to combat human smuggling, the government has imposed travel restrictions on more than 52,000 individuals, sources told Geo News on Monday.

According to sources familiar with the devlopment, a total of 52,520 people have been banned from travelling abroad.

The restrictions have been applied to Pakistanis who were deported from the United States, European countries, and Middle Eastern nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

The sources further revealed that the Directorate of Passport and Immigration has placed the passports of these individuals on the Passport Control List (PCL).

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has also received the updated list of restricted individuals.

The list includes Pakistani nationals deported from the UAE and Saudi Arabia due to criminal activities. Authorities are tightening measures to prevent human smuggling and illegal migration in response to rising global concerns.

So far, a total of 4,210 beggars have been deported from Saudi Arabia, according to sources. The FIA has imposed travel bans on 1,546 deportees across various zones, the sources added.

Travel restrictions have been placed on 331 beggars deported from other countries. Moreover, 46,433 individuals who returned from prisons in the UAE have also been barred from travelling abroad.