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Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia
Ethnic group in Saudi Arabia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia are either Pakistani people who live in Saudi Arabia after having been born elsewhere, or are Saudi Arabian-born but have Pakistani roots. By Pakistani roots, this could mean roots linking back to Pakistan or Pakistani diaspora or South Asia. Many Pakistani army officers and soldiers also serve in Saudi Arabia and train the Saudi military cadets. According to a 2023 estimate, 2.64 million Pakistanis live and work in Saudi Arabia.[2][3]
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2015) |
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Society
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Culture
There are numerous restaurants, shops and cultural activities in Saudi Arabia which cater to the Pakistani diaspora. In Jeddah's Azizia district, a large Pakistani community is present due the close proximity of Pakistan International School in Jeddah. Azizia district is home to numerous Pakistani food outlets and shops. Sharfia and Baghdadia district are other districts with significant Pakistani communities. Similarly, Al Shemaisy and Al Manfuha are areas with a substantial number of amenities related to the Pakistani community i.e. Pakistani food outlets, embroidery, groceries etc. A Pakistani diaspora exists on a smaller scale throughout Saudi Arabia.
Economic contributions
Numerous Pakistani entrepreneurs have established successful ventures in Saudi Arabia. Notable examples include Abdul Kabeer Shah, a native of Landhi in Karachi who began his career as a laborer in the kingdom and later founded a successful fast-food chain, Alta’am ("Taste").[4] In April 2025, a delegation of nearly 20 Pakistani-origin businessmen based in Saudi Arabia attended the inaugural Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad. Organized by Pakistan's Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the event aimed to acknowledge the contributions of expatriates to the national economy and address their concerns. The businessmen expressed interest in investing in Pakistan's tourism infrastructure, agriculture, food processing, and general trading sectors. Faisal Tahir Khan, a Saudi-born Pakistani businessman, highlighted plans by the Pakistan Investment Forum (PIF) to establish a commercial hub in Saudi Arabia to promote the top 100 Pakistani brands.[5]
Ali Khurshid Malik, another Pakistani businessman in Saudi Arabia and finance secretary of PIF, emphasized opportunities in Saudi Arabia's construction sector, particularly with projects like NEOM City. He noted the demand for Pakistani construction materials and skilled labor, especially in smart city technologies. Malik also pointed out the need for Pakistan to enhance its certification systems to supply certified skilled workers to the Kingdom.[5]
Education
To meet the requirement of the education, there are Pakistani schools in large cities of Saudi Arabia. They are known as International Schools with the name of the city comes after where the school is situated. They follow Pakistani national curriculum apart from Pakistan International School (English Section), Jeddah, which follow British Curriculum.
Riyadh: Pakistan International School, Riyadh - Largest School catering to Pakistani residents in Riyadh. Pakistan International School, English Section provides IGCSE and A-Level education to the Pakistani community
Jeddah: Pakistan International School, Jeddah and Pakistan International School (English Section), Jeddah
Jubail: Pakistan International School, Jubail
Taif: Pakistan International School, Taif
Al-Hassa: Pakistan International School, Al-Hasa
Al-Khobar: Pakistan International School, Al-Khobar
Al-Madina Al-Aqeeq international school, Al-Madina There are many private schools which cater to other educational needs of students.
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Notable Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia
- In 1957, Pakistani expatriate Anwar Ali[6] became the governor of SAMA (Saudi Arabian Monetary Fund), who had come to the country with an International Monetary Fund mission and who held the post as a confidant of King Faisal until his death, in 1974.
- Nawaz Sharif - spent eight years in self exile upon an agreement with Pervez Musharraf and Saad Hariri. Returned to Pakistan in 2007.
- General Raheel Shareef - Ex-Chief Of Army Staff, Pakistan is currently the chief of Joint Islamic Forces, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi citizens of Pakistani descent
- Ghulam Akbar Khan Niazi, military physician[7]
- Umer Chapra, economist[8]
- Abdullah Alam Rashid, Ministry of Agriculture a Punjabi-Pakistani Civil Engineer who helped build and map Saudi roadways connecting Riyadh to Jeddah in the early 1900s. Alam Rashid created and mapped the roadways and major connections between two of the most populous cities in the Kingdom leading to the discovery of habitat, natural resources and settlements. In recognition of his services to the Kingdom, he was granted citizenship and the highest civilian honor for his services.
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Deportation
Reportedly, in four months from late 2016 to early 2017, Saudi Arabia deported at least 40,000 Pakistani nationals due to visa issues and violation of the rules of residence and work.[9][10][11][12] In addition, an estimated 250,000 Pakistanis have been deported from various countries in a three year period from 2012 to 2015. Of them, 131,643 were deported from Saudi Arabia.[13]
Media
Urdu News targets Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia, providing them news in their national language, Urdu.[14] Bazm E Shaheen is also a community run organization which organizes events for the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia.
See also
References
Bibliography
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