Saudi Arabia has expressed concern over the rising variety of Pakistani beggars arriving within the Kingdom below the pretext of non secular pilgrimage and has requested Islamabad to take steps to stop them from getting into the Gulf nation, a media outlet reported on Tuesday.
Citing sources in Pakistan’s Ministry of Spiritual Affairs, the Categorical Tribune newspaper reported that Saudi authorities have additionally warned that if the scenario is just not managed, it may adversely have an effect on Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.
“The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has issued a warning to Pakistan’s Ministry of Spiritual Affairs, urging it to take steps to stop Pakistani beggars from getting into the dominion on Umrah visas,” the paper mentioned.
In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Spiritual Affairs determined to introduce an “Umrah Legislation,” which goals to control journey businesses that facilitate Umrah journey by placing them below authorized supervision, he mentioned.
The ministry has additionally requested the Pakistani authorities to seek out methods to stop beggars from travelling to Saudi Arabia below the pretext of non secular pilgrimage.
Earlier, in a gathering with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Stated Ahmed Al-Malki, Inside Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured him that strict measures can be applied towards the mafia chargeable for sending beggars to Saudi Arabia.
The Federal Investigation Company (FIA) has been tasked with busting the community, which Mohsin says is damaging Pakistan’s picture.
Pakistani beggars journey to the Center East on the pretext of performing pilgrimage (ziarat). Most individuals go to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas after which interact in begging-related actions, Abroad Pakistani Affairs Secretary Zeeshan Khanzada mentioned final 12 months.
Arshad Mahmood, Pakistan’s Abroad Secretary, famous final 12 months that a number of Gulf nations have expressed considerations in regards to the conduct of Pakistanis overseas, notably within the areas of labor ethics, attitudes and involvement in felony actions.
In accordance with the Ministry of Abroad Pakistanis and Human Useful resource Growth, a staggering 90 p.c of beggars detained in overseas nations are from Pakistan.
The FIA has been ordered to crack down on mafias chargeable for sending beggars to Saudi Arabia.
A month in the past, the FIA disembarked 11 suspected beggars from a Saudi-bound flight at Karachi airport.
Through the immigration course of, FIA officers questioned the passengers, who admitted that their objective in visiting Saudi Arabia was to beg.
In September final 12 months, 16 beggars disguised as pilgrims had been taken off a flight to Saudi Arabia and arrested for making an attempt to journey to the Gulf kingdom to interact in begging.
Many of the pickpockets arrested on the Grand Mosque in Mecca are Pakistani residents, Khanzada advised native media.
