Pakistan cracks down on overseas travel as Gulf states deport thousands for begging

Pakistan targets overseas begging networks

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned that professional beggars and people travelling with incomplete documents will be barred from going abroad, amid rising concern over Pakistanis being deported, detained or embarrassed overseas for illegal begging, visa violations and document fraud.

Officials say several countries, particularly in the Gulf, have raised objections after Pakistani nationals were found involved in organised begging networks. The issue has harmed Pakistan’s international image and prompted tighter scrutiny of travellers from the country.

Last week, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said more than 66,000 travellers were stopped from leaving the country this year on suspicion of irregular travel, while tens of thousands of Pakistanis were deported from Gulf states and other countries as part of a broader crackdown on illegal migration, Arab News reported.

Radio Pakistan said Naqvi warned that those who “bring a bad name to Pakistan” would face strict action. “The interior minister said the dignity of Pakistan and facilitation of passengers are his top priorities.”

The Economic Times reported that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan have deported thousands of Pakistani nationals this year on charges related to begging.

Saudi and UAE authorities have carried out special anti-begging drives, particularly during Ramadan and the Hajj and Umrah seasons, when such activity tends to increase. Those caught begging are typically detained, fined and deported, often with entry bans. Officials say many operate as part of organised groups rather than acting alone.

Pakistani nationals applying for visit, Umrah or short-term visas have faced stricter checks, with immigration officials flagging travellers who lack a clear purpose, sufficient funds, or have suspicious travel histories or repeated short visits. Many are offloaded at departure airports or refused entry on arrival.

Thousands of Pakistanis have been deported from Saudi Arabia and the UAE for begging-related offences, with repeat offenders frequently blacklisted. Gulf authorities have also shared deportation data with Pakistan, triggering domestic enforcement measures.

Gulf governments have formally raised the matter with Islamabad, describing it as both a reputational and security concern. In response, Pakistan’s FIA has stepped up airport offloading, launched investigations into travel agents and human smugglers, and, in some cases, cancelled the passports of habitual offenders.

Officials in the Gulf have indicated that a disproportionate number of foreign beggars detained in recent years were Pakistani nationals, leading to targeted action rather than a generalised crackdown.