The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has confirmed the deportation of 10 individuals from Saudi Arabia, who had traveled on Umrah visas but were found to be begging. Pakistan has expressed concerns over such behavior, as it tarnishes the experience of legitimate pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah or Hajj.
Saudi Arabia had raised the issue with Pakistan multiple times over the past year. In response, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi pledged in November 2023 that a nationwide crackdown would be launched against Pakistanis misusing Umrah and Hajj visas for begging.
On Sunday, the FIA reported that a significant operation at Karachi Airport led to the arrest of 10 suspects accused of begging while posing as Umrah pilgrims. These individuals, from various districts including Rajanpur, Naushahro Feroze, Kashmore, Lahore, Peshawar, Mohmand, and Larkana, were detained after returning from Saudi Arabia. Preliminary investigations showed that they had been begging in Saudi Arabia for several months. The suspects were handed over to the Karachi Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for further proceedings.
The FIA has stressed that it is closely monitoring immigration activities at airports, thoroughly screening passengers, and taking legal action against those involved in begging.
Saudi Arabia hosts a large Pakistani expatriate community, with around 2.5 million Pakistanis living there, making them the largest source of remittances for Pakistan.
