Saudi Arabia Warns Pakistan to Stop Misuse of Umrah Visas by Beggars

Beggars from foreign countries, particularly Pakistan, have become a common sight in many Gulf countries during the pilgrimage season. However, this trend has raised concerns among Saudi authorities, who have warned Pakistan to stop the misuse of Umrah visas by beggars.

The Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs has cautioned that if the situation is not brought under control, it will adversely affect Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. International media reports have highlighted the presence of Pakistani beggars on the streets of Saudi Arabia, with many being accused of exploiting pilgrims.

Fake Beggars as Exploiters of Pilgrims

Saudi authorities view fake beggars as exploiters of pilgrims, and it’s not just Saudi Arabia that’s affected. Pakistani beggars have also been found in other Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates. According to Pakistani Foreign Secretary Zeeshan Khanzada, 90% of jailed beggars in West Asian countries are from Pakistan.

Mafia Network Behind the Export of Beggars

Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, has revealed that a mafia network is behind the export of beggars to Saudi Arabia. Naqvi has assured that strict action will be taken against the mafia, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been tasked with busting this network.

Immigration officials at Pakistan’s international airports are now more vigilant about passengers who travel regularly to the Middle East for short periods. If there’s any doubt, passengers will be stopped from boarding flights. In a recent incident, the FIA dropped 11 beggars from a flight to Saudi Arabia at Karachi airport.

Pakistani Beggars and the Visa Crisis

The issue of Pakistani beggars has become a major headache not only for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia but also for Pakistanis seeking employment abroad. The economic crisis in Pakistan has led to a record number of people seeking employment abroad, but the presence of beggars has made it difficult for legitimate travelers to obtain visas.

According to Rafia Zakaria, millions of Pakistanis who cannot even think of begging abroad are stuck at home with their passports due to the actions of a few miscreants. Pakistan has urged Middle Eastern and Gulf countries to tighten their visa checks to stop importing Pakistani beggars.

A senior FIA official has suggested that instead of forcing Pakistani authorities to stop beggars, these countries should look into their visa processing systems. The general image of Pakistanis abroad is not encouraging for Pakistani job seekers, who face increased visa checks and rejections.