Pakistan Blocks 4,300 Beggars from Traveling Abroad Amid Saudi Concerns

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In response to warnings from Saudi Arabia about the misuse of religious pilgrimage visas for begging, Pakistan has added over 4,300 individuals to its Exit Control List (ECL). This move aims to curb the growing issue of Pakistani nationals engaging in begging in West Asian countries, particularly during Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

To prevent further abuse of pilgrimage visas, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has introduced the “Umrah Act,” which will regulate travel agencies organizing Hajj and Umrah trips. Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, Zeeshan Khanzada, revealed that 90% of beggars detained in West Asian countries are Pakistani nationals who exploited religious pilgrimages as a cover to beg in cities like Mecca and Medina.

Begging is a criminal offense in Saudi Arabia, punishable by up to six months in prison or fines of up to 50,000 Riyals. In recent cases, Pakistani nationals traveling with the intention of begging have faced imprisonment and deportation. In one instance, 16 alleged beggars were removed from a Saudi-bound flight and arrested last October.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Raza Naqvi, informed Saudi officials of ongoing actions against networks facilitating the travel of beggars abroad. This year alone, Pakistan canceled the passports of over 2,000 individuals identified as professional beggars. Those caught begging abroad now face passport suspension for up to seven years.

Pakistan’s worsening economic crisis, marked by rising inflation and unemployment, has forced many to seek opportunities abroad, often under false pretenses. Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan criticized the government’s inability to address these issues, stating, “India has reached the moon while we stumble every day.” He also highlighted that Pakistani workers are increasingly willing to accept lower wages than workers from Nepal and India.

These measures aim to restore Pakistan’s reputation and uphold the dignity of its citizens while addressing the socio-economic factors driving the problem.

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