Pakistan: Authorities crack down on 'fake' tourists heading to Middle East to beg

Multiple passengers have been disembarked from flights by immigration staff at airports to curb the rising numbers of Pakistani nationals being involved in begging in Middle Eastern countries, according to a report by Dawn.

There's growing dissatisfaction in Middle Eastern countries about the increased number of Pakistani beggars, which has prompted authorities in Pakistan to use enhanced screening methods for passengers travelling to those countries, a senior Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official told Dawn.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

As per the report, these people disguise themselves as tourists to reach countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Iran, Oman, and Turkiye.

Senate Stand­ing Committee on Overseas Pakist­a­nis was told that around 90 per cent of the beggars arrested abroad were Pakistani nationals. The increasing number of Pakistani beggars overseas is raising concerns among government officials.

The Interior Ministry of Pakistan has allegedly disembarked 44,000 people over similar suspicions in less than three years, according to the report.

Groups of individuals, often posing as religious tourists, primarily come from districts in South Punjab and use Multan airport for travel, FIA sources told Dawn.

In addition to the strict actions by Pakistani authorities, UAE officials are also enforcing stringent measures. According to travel agents, they are denying visas to Pakistanis who cannot demonstrate sufficient funds in their accounts to prove they are “genuine visitors.”

Multiple foreign embassies, particularly from Western and African countries, handle their visa services for Pakistan through the UAE. Travel agents are concerned that stricter scrutiny could impact travellers needing to visit these countries, as they must attend interviews in the UAE.

Although the authorities have taken measures on their part, they have also requested that Middle Eastern and Gulf nations enforce stricter visa policies.

A senior FIA officer said that these countries should review their visa processing systems instead of solely urging Pakistani authorities to prevent potential beggars, criminals, and illegal immigrants.

The FIA official mentioned that these nations should ask for bank statements, property records, and tax documents with visa applications to confirm that travellers can financially support themselves during their stay like Western countries do.

(With inputs from agencies)