In a significant diplomatic embarrassment for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia has expressed serious concerns over the increasing number of Pakistani beggars entering the country under the pretext of performing religious pilgrimage. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has officially urged Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs to take immediate action to prevent these individuals from traveling to the Gulf nation on Umrah visas.
According to reports from the Express Tribune, Saudi authorities have been alarmed by the rising influx of Pakistani beggars arriving for Umrah. The ministry has cautioned that if the situation is not addressed, it could negatively impact the reputation of legitimate Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.
In response to the warning, Pakistan’s government is planning to implement an “Umrah Act,” which aims to regulate the travel agencies facilitating Umrah trips and bring them under legal scrutiny. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is actively working with the government to devise strategies to stop beggars from exploiting the religious pilgrimage system.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has assured Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed Al-Malki that strict measures will be enforced against those facilitating the travel of beggars to Saudi Arabia. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been tasked with cracking down on networks involved in this damaging practice, which Naqvi stated tarnishes Pakistan’s reputation.
The issue was further underscored by Arshad Mahmood, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, during a Senate Standing Committee meeting. He revealed that multiple Gulf countries have raised concerns about the behavior of Pakistani nationals abroad, particularly regarding work ethics and involvement in criminal activities. Mahmood noted that such actions are leading to increased scrutiny from Gulf employers and authorities, thereby affecting the reputation of Pakistani workers.
Last month, the FIA took decisive action by offloading 11 alleged beggars from a flight bound for Saudi Arabia at Karachi airport. During immigration checks, these individuals admitted that their sole purpose for traveling was to beg.
Saudi Arabia has previously reported that a significant number of people traveling to the Kingdom engage in begging or pickpocketing. Officials have indicated that most of the pickpockets arrested within the Grand Mosque in Makkah are Pakistani nationals. In September of last year, 16 individuals disguised as pilgrims were also apprehended after attempting to enter Saudi Arabia with the intention of begging.
As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial for Pakistan to address these concerns to maintain its relationship with Saudi Arabia and ensure the integrity of its pilgrims traveling for religious purposes.
