Saudi Arabia has raised concerns about an increasing number of Pakistani beggars arriving in the Kingdom under the guise of religious pilgrimages, particularly Umrah and Hajj. The Saudi Ministry of Ha
Saudi Arabia has raised concerns about an increasing number of Pakistani beggars arriving in the Kingdom under the guise of religious pilgrimages, particularly Umrah and Hajj. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has communicated these concerns to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, warning that if this issue is not addressed, it could negatively impact the perception and treatment of Pakistani pilgrims. In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs is considering introducing an “Umrah Act” to regulate travel agencies that facilitate Umrah trips. This act would place these agencies under greater legal oversight to ensure they do not allow individuals intending to beg to misuse religious visas.
Additionally, the ministry is looking for further measures to prevent beggars from travelling to Saudi Arabia under the guise of religious pilgrimage, aiming to uphold the sanctity of the religious journey and maintain good relations with Saudi authorities.
“The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has issued a warning to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, urging action to prevent Pakistani beggars from entering the kingdom under Umrah visas,” citing sources from Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, assured Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed Al-Malki that strict measures would be implemented to tackle the issue. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been tasked with dismantling the networks responsible for sending beggars to Saudi Arabia, which, according to Naqvi, is damaging Pakistan’s international reputation.
Many of these individuals travel to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas but engage in begging once they arrive, a concern shared by several Gulf countries regarding overseas Pakistanis. Zeeshan Khanzada, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, highlighted that such activities under religious pretenses are common, and Arshad Mahmood, also a Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, noted concerns raised by Gulf nations about the behavior of some overseas Pakistanis, including work ethics and involvement in criminal activities.
A report by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development revealed that 90% of beggars arrested in foreign countries are from Pakistan. In response, the FIA has been directed to intensify efforts against these mafias. Recent actions include the offloading of 11 alleged beggars from a Saudi-bound flight at Karachi airport and a previous incident in September 2022, when 16 beggars were arrested for attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia disguised as pilgrims.
Furthermore, Khanzada mentioned that a majority of pickpockets arrested inside Mecca’s Grand Mosque are of Pakistani origin.