Saudi Arabia deports Pakistani nurses over document forgery allegations

Approximately 92 Pakistani nurses find their aspirations shattered following deportation from Saudi Arabia, a consequence of actions by a private recruiter.

These nurses, all possessing legitimate qualifications, fell victim to a scheme involving falsified online verification of their credentials. Saudi authorities uncovered the deception during routine online checks, resulting in the immediate termination and repatriation of the affected nurses.

The repercussions of this ordeal extend beyond mere financial strain and emotional distress for the nurses; it also casts a shadow over the reputation of Pakistani healthcare professionals.

In response, Pakistani federal authorities have taken prompt measures. Upon being made aware of the situation, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis initiated a thorough investigation.

As a result of the preliminary inquiry, the recruiter based in Rawalpindi had their license revoked and was placed on a blacklist. Furthermore, a committee has been established to conduct a more extensive investigation.

The fraudulent scheme involved the recruiter submitting identical verification reports for multiple nurses.

This deceitful tactic enabled 350 nurses to secure employment in Saudi Arabia, with 92 of them now facing the consequences. These nurses had been employed in the Kingdom for a year before the falsified online verification came to light.

This incident underscores the vulnerability of migrant workers and underscores the critical importance of implementing rigorous recruitment procedures.