Saudi Arabia urges Pakistan to tackle rising issue of beggars disguised as pilgrims

Saudi Arabia urges Pakistan to address rising numbers of beggars disguised as pilgrims. Pakistan introduces an "Umrah Act" and cracks down on trafficking networks to protect legitimate pilgrims and its national reputation.

Saudi Arabia has expressed growing concerns about the increasing number of Pakistani nationals arriving in the Kingdom under the guise of religious pilgrimage, only to engage in begging activities.

This issue has prompted Saudi authorities to call on Islamabad to take immediate action to curb this trend, warning that failure to do so could have negative consequences for legitimate Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.

According to sources within Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs, PTI reports that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj has formally warned about the increasing number of beggars entering Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas. These visas are meant for religious pilgrims, but Saudi officials are concerned that the actions of these individuals are damaging the reputation of Pakistani pilgrims.

In response to Saudi Arabia's concerns, Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced plans to introduce an "Umrah Act." This new legislation aims to regulate travel agencies that facilitate Umrah trips, ensuring that they operate under legal oversight. The Ministry is also collaborating with other government bodies to find effective ways to prevent beggars from exploiting religious visas to enter Saudi Arabia.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has assured Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed Al-Malki that strict measures will be implemented against the criminal networks responsible for sending beggars to Saudi Arabia. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been tasked with leading this crackdown, targeting the mafias that facilitate the illegal entry of beggars into the Kingdom. These networks have not only damaged Pakistan's image abroad but have also caused significant embarrassment to the country.

This is not the first time the issue has come to light. Last year, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis Arshad Mahmood pointed out that several Gulf countries had expressed concerns about the behavior of some Pakistani nationals, particularly in relation to work ethics, attitudes, and involvement in criminal activities. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development has reported that a staggering 90% of beggars apprehended in foreign countries are of Pakistani origin.

In recent months, the FIA has taken action by preventing several alleged beggars from traveling to Saudi Arabia. For instance, just a month ago, 11 individuals were offloaded from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Karachi airport after they admitted that their purpose for visiting the Kingdom was to beg. Similarly, last September, 16 beggars disguised as pilgrims were arrested while attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia.

Adding to the concerns, a significant number of pickpockets arrested within Mecca’s Grand Mosque have been identified as Pakistani nationals, further tarnishing the image of Pakistani pilgrims.

(With inputs from agencies)