Bringing Disrepute: Pakistan targets fake tourists, pilgrims amid surge in begging trend in Gulf

FIA targets fake Umrah pilgrims (Representative Image)

In a significant crackdown on a growing issue, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at Karachi airport intercepted and offloaded 11 individuals posing as Umrah pilgrims, suspected of being part of a rising trend of beggars travelling to Middle Eastern countries under the guise of tourists.

Pakistani media claim that this decisive action highlights the increasing vigilance of authorities as they intensify scrutiny at international airports to curb the alarming surge in such deceptive practices.

According to ARY News, the FIA offloaded 11 individuals, including 8 women, from a Saudi-bound flight at Karachi airport. They were travelling on fake Umrah visas, intending to beg in Saudi Arabia. The group was arrested for further investigation. A similar incident occurred last year at Multan airport, involving 24 alleged beggars.

Dawn News reported that a senior official informed the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis that 90% of beggars detained abroad are of Pakistani origin. Potential beggars have been disguising themselves as tourists to travel to countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Iran, Oman, and Turkey, according to the FIA.

The Dawn report says that recently, immigration staff have removed numerous passengers from flights to curb this trend.

Earlier this year, the Interior Ministry reported deporting 44,000 passengers over similar suspicions in the past two and a half years.

An FIA officer suggested that Gulf countries should review their visa processing systems rather than solely pressuring Pakistani authorities to prevent such cases, according to the Dawn.

(Input From Agencies)