In a major international embarrassment for the nation, Saudi Arabia formally warned Pakistan about the increasing number of beggars arriving from the country on Umrah visas. The kingdom has also warned that if the issue is not addressed soon, the perception and treatment of Pakistani pilgrims will be negatively impacted.

Pakistan has responded by directing its ministry of religious affairs to start a program with stricter rules to check the visas being issued for pilgrimage. The country has proposed the introduction of an “Umrah Act” aimed at overseeing travel agencies that arrange Umrah trips, ensuring they operate within a legal framework. Additionally, the Pakistani government has also assured that it is trying to devise ways to prevent individuals from exploiting the religious trips to Saudi Arabia for begging.

Saudi officials have previously as well voiced their concerns over these issues, pointing out that a significant number of visitors from Pakistan come to engage in begging. It has also been reported that a large proportion of individuals apprehended for pickpocketing within the premises of Makkah’s grand mosque are Pakistani nationals.

The begging problem of Pakistan

Begging is a major issue in Pakistan, so much so that it is now becoming a profession. In some regions, entire tribes and sub-castes have taken it as a trade. It is is now seen as a great idea for international business, with Pakistani beggars making their way across the region, from Iran to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistani beggars have been boarding planes in groups to land in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia on top of their list. One of the biggest reason for this is that the pilgrim visa facility is much simpler as it does not require documentations like bank account statements, tax documents, professional income and property papers.

It is reported that Ninety per cent of all beggars detained in West Asian nations are from Pakistan and these beggars are locked up in jails in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Ambassadors of Iraq and Saudi Arabia had earlier warned that Pakistani beggars travel abroad under the guise of ziarat (pilgrimage) on Umrah visas and later engage in begging on the streets.

High-ranking diplomats from various countries in the Gulf have been consistently pointing out that their prisons are overflowing with Pakistani beggars, and have pressed the Pakistani government to do something about it. Last year, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) offloaded 16 beggars from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Multan airport. A week later, it took out eight more at the same airport. The off-loaded passengers told investigators they had paid agents for getting their visas processed, while others had agreements with their facilitators to share 50 percent of their begging income.

Pakistan’s response To Saudi Concerns

The Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs is now planning to introduce an “Umrah Act” to regulate travel agencies that facilitate Umrah trips. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has assured Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed Al-Malki that strict measures will be implemented and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been tasked with leading the crackdown.

The incident highlights a wider issue, as expressed by Arshad Mahmood, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, during a Senate Standing Committee meeting. He noted that the behavior of Pakistani expatriates, particularly in terms of work ethic, attitude, and criminal involvement, has been a cause for concern among several Gulf countries. These behaviors have not only tarnished the image of Pakistani workers but also led to heightened scrutiny from employers and officials in the corresponding nations.

Earlier senator Zeeshan Khanzada had informed the Standing Committee that there are nearly 10 million Pakistani citizens living abroad, a substantial number of whom are involved in begging. These individuals obtain visas and then resort to begging in other countries, he said, adding that flights to the Middle East from Pakistan are often completely filled with beggars.

The Pakistani government had only recently blocked the passports of 2000 beggars. While the interior Ministry has also offloaded more than 40,000 individuals in the past couple of years.

Begging is a 42 billion dollar industry in Pakistan, it has now become an extremely lucrative, organized, corporatized and international business. It adds up to a whooping 12 per cent of Pakistan’s economy. The country has struggled to abolish beggary as previously hundreds of beggars clashed with the police in 2011, claiming they will only stop begging when the government stops its own begging from the IMF and other countries.