Pakistan has long been infamous for terrorism, donkey routes and export of beggars. Recently, several countries in the Middle East had warned Islamabad that strict action would be taken if the export of beggars was not stopped. Keeping this in mind, Pakistan has put about 4,300 beggars in the Exit Control List (ECL), so that they cannot go out of the country and reach Saudi Arabia.
This announcement follows concerns raised by Saudi Arabia in September, in which it warned Pakistan to stop people begging in Mecca and Medina by misusing Hajj and Umrah visas.
Also read: Rs 5 lakh found in the pocket of an unconscious beggar in Pakistan! used to go to Saudi and beg
Pakistan informed Saudi about the action
Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi on Wednesday informed Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Interior Minister Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood about the steps taken by Pakistan against the ‘mafia’ sending beggars to the Kingdom. According to the report, Pakistan has adopted zero tolerance policy against beggars going to Saudi Arabia.
The problem of Pakistani beggars in Saudi Arabia is real. Crowds of Pakistani beggars are common on the streets of Mecca, Medina and Jeddah, making it a serious problem. Due to severe inflation and deteriorating economic condition in Pakistan, Pakistani citizens go to West Asian countries, especially Saudi Arabia, with the intention of begging. Many use Hajj and Umrah visas and later engage in begging.
Begging is a crime in Saudi Arabia
Under Saudi Arabian law, begging in any form is a crime. Begging can result in a prison sentence of up to 6 months, and people involved in this crime may have to pay a fine of up to 50,000 riyals. A large number of Pakistani beggars are lodged in the jails of Saudi Arabia. About one crore Pakistani citizens live abroad, a large number of whom are involved in the profession of begging.
Also read: 75 thousand rupees found with a female beggar in Indore, she collected it by begging in 10-12 days, officials were stunned to hear the earning.
Notably, in September 2023, 16 beggars on a flight to Saudi Arabia were stopped and arrested in Karachi. Pakistan’s begging problem has expanded to Saudi Arabia and other nations, leading to stricter scrutiny of visa applications.
Jeddah had warned Islamabad that if the situation was not controlled, it would affect Pakistani people going for Umrah and Haj. After this, Pakistan has taken strict steps to stop beggars and action is going on against the ‘beggar mafia’.
-
-
-
-
