‘Take necessary action or...,’ Saudi Arabia issues stern warning to Pakistan over influx of beggars

Saudi Arabia has asked Pakistan to stop its beggars from coming to the Gulf country under the pretext of religious pilgrimage. As per media reports, Saudi ministry of Hajj has issued a warning to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. Riyadh is concerned over the growing number of Pakistani beggars arriving in the country under Umrah visas. Saudi Arabia has warned that if necessary action is not taken by Islamabad, it can hamper religious and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Umrah Act

Responding to Saudi Arabia’s concerns, Pakistani authorities have now introduced an Umrah Act, which will increase the state’s oversight over agencies that facilitate travel to Saudi Arabia under Umrah visas.

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Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has also reached out to the Saudi government, asking for devising ways in which beggars can be stopped from travelling to Saudi Arabia.

A meeting has also taken place between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed Al-Malki, where the Pakistani side has assured Riyadh that strict action will be taken against the ‘beggar mafia’.

Mohsin claimed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan has been given charge to launch a crackdown on this network, which was damaging the Islamic country’s reputation worldwide.

Dr Arshad Mahmood, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune, that several Gulf countries have expressed concerns regarding the behaviour of overseas Pakistanis, particularly in areas of work ethics, attitudes, and involvement in criminal activities.

This has led to increased scrutiny from Gulf employers and authorities against Pakistani expats.

Earlier in August, the FIA reportedly offloaded 11 suspectedbeggars from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Karachi airport in a major operation against the mafia.

Earlier, the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis was told that around 90 per cent of the beggars arrested abroad were Pakistani nationals.

(With inputs from agencies)