ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has issued a warning to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, urging immediate action to prevent Pakistani beggars from entering the kingdom on Umrah visas.
According to sources within the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Saudi authorities have raised concerns over the increasing number of Pakistani beggars arriving in Saudi Arabia under the pretense of performing Umrah. The ministry warned that if this issue is not addressed, it could negatively impact the future of Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.
In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has decided to introduce an “Umrah Act,” aimed at regulating travel agencies that organize Umrah trips, placing them under stricter legal oversight. The ministry has also sought assistance from the Pakistani government to find effective measures to stop beggars from exploiting Umrah visas for illegal purposes.
Earlier, during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed Al-Malki, Mohsin assured the ambassador that strict actions would be taken against the networks responsible for sending beggars to Saudi Arabia. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been tasked with cracking down on these groups, which Mohsin said are tarnishing Pakistan’s reputation.
The issue was also raised by Dr. Arshad Mahmood, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, during a Senate Standing Committee meeting on Overseas Pakistanis. He noted that several Gulf countries have expressed concerns about the behavior of overseas Pakistanis, particularly regarding work ethics, attitudes, and involvement in criminal activities, which is leading to increased scrutiny of Pakistani workers.
Recently, the FIA offloaded 11 alleged beggars from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Karachi airport. During questioning, the passengers admitted that their purpose for traveling to Saudi Arabia was to beg, highlighting the ongoing challenge for authorities. The FIA has been directed to continue cracking down on such mafias to prevent further damage to Pakistan’s image abroad.
