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.

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.

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.

Notable Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia

Saudi citizens of Pakistani descent

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. 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.

Media

Urdu News targets Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia, providing them news in their national language, Urdu. Bazm E Shaheen is also a community run organization which organizes events for the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia.