islamabad19 hours ago
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Begging is a crime in Saudi Arabia. Doing so can result in a jail term of up to 6 months or a fine of up to 50,000 riyals. (file photo)
After warnings from many countries including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan has put 4,300 beggars in the no-fly list. In fact, in September, many countries had threatened Pakistan that if it did not stop sending beggars, then strict action would be taken against it. The Saudi Haj Ministry had also said the same thing to Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Ministry.
Actually, the beggars of Pakistan have been a big problem for Saudi Arabia for a long time. Due to financial constraints and rising inflation, many Pakistanis reach Saudi Arabia on the pretext of Umrah and Haj pilgrimage and beg there. For this reason, a large number of Pakistani beggars are seen on the streets of cities like Mecca, Medina and Jeddah.
Begging is a crime in Saudi Arabia Begging is a legal offense in Saudi Arabia. Doing so can result in a jail term of up to 6 months or a fine of up to 50,000 riyals. Last year, Saudi officials had said that 90% of the pickpockets arrested in Mecca’s Grand Mosque were Pakistanis.
Now, to stop beggars from being sent to Saudi, Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Ministry has decided to bring ‘Umrah Act’. Its objective is to regulate travel agencies that help in obtaining Umrah visas and bring them under legal supervision.
Pakistani beggars travel to Gulf countries under the guise of Umrah. They set up base in rich countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE.
11 people were caught at Karachi airport in August In August this year, 11 people were caught at Karachi Airport. They were preparing to board a flight going to Saudi. During interrogation it was revealed that their motive was to go there and beg.
Similarly, in October 2023, 16 people aboard a flight were deboarded from the plane at Lahore Airport and arrested. They were also going there to beg.
People arrested at Lahore Airport in October 2023. He was going to Saudi Arabia on a religious trip. Their purpose was to go there and beg.
Last year also Saudi Arabia had complained In the meeting of overseas officials in September last year, Saudi Arabia had asked Pakistan to be careful in giving Haj quota. Saudi officials had asked Pakistan not to send beggars and pickpockets.
Saudi Arabia had said that their jails are full of such people. Even then Pakistani officials had assured to stop it.
90% of the beggars arrested worldwide are of Pakistani origin. According to a September 2023 report by Pakistani website Dawn, 90% of the beggars arrested worldwide are of Pakistani origin. The UAE government is also troubled by the increasing number of these beggars. According to an August report by Dawn, UAE also avoids granting visas to those Pakistanis who do not have enough money in their bank accounts.
In March this year, during the month of Ramadan, Dubai administration had launched a campaign against these beggars. During this period more than 200 people were arrested. Almost half of these were women.
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