English
English
English
Saudi Arabia has deported more than 24,000 Pakistani citizens accused of begging, mainly around holy sites. Authorities in UAE and Saudi Arabia have increased scrutiny, while Pakistan narrowly avoids a passport ban amid growing concerns over misuse of visas.
Misuse of Umrah and tourist visas cited as primary reason.
Islamabad: Saudi Arabia has deported over 24,000 Pakistani nationals this year for allegedly making a living through begging, according to Riffat Mukhtar, Director General of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency. The revelations came during a briefing before a parliamentary committee, highlighting concerns about organised begging and criminal activities involving Pakistani citizens abroad.
Officials noted that many of those deported misused Umrah and tourist visas to solicit alms around the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The crackdown forms part of a wider effort by Gulf countries to curb illegal begging and maintain law and order near religious sites.
Pakistanis have also been deported from other countries this year. The United Arab Emirates sent back approximately 6,000 individuals, while Azerbaijan deported around 2,500 Pakistani nationals for similar reasons. Authorities in these countries have tightened surveillance, reflecting growing concerns about the misuse of visas and the international image of Pakistan.
Earlier this year, Pakistani officials revealed that the UAE and Saudi Arabia came close to imposing a passport ban on Pakistanis due to the rising cases of illegal begging. Salman Chaudhry, UAE’s Additional Interior Secretary, confirmed that visas are now only being issued to blue and diplomatic passport holders. A complete ban was avoided to prevent difficulties in restoring visa issuance later.
Despite narrowly escaping a total ban, Pakistani authorities are under pressure to ensure their citizens adhere to local laws and regulations abroad, especially in countries hosting large numbers of Pakistani pilgrims.
Indus Waters Treaty suspension sparks alarm in Pakistan; Deputy PM warns of humanitarian crisis
The issue is not new. In 2024, Saudi Arabia formally warned Pakistan to prevent citizens from misusing Umrah visas for begging. At the time, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs cautioned that failure to curb such practices could lead to serious consequences for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina for Umrah and Hajj.
The warning highlighted the risks associated with a growing number of Pakistani nationals involved in illegal begging and the diplomatic implications for Pakistan if the trend continued.
Officials in Pakistan have expressed concern that the deportations and rising incidents of begging abroad are harming the country’s international image. The Federal Investigation Agency emphasized that organised syndicates are often behind these activities, and curbing such networks is essential to protect Pakistan’s reputation in the Gulf and beyond.
‘Apologise Or Else…’: Pakistani gangster issues threat to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar; Probe underway
Authorities are expected to enhance monitoring and provide guidance to Pakistani citizens traveling to Gulf countries, especially during pilgrimage seasons, to prevent further incidents and avoid stricter visa restrictions in the future.
The recent deportations underline the urgent need for Pakistan to address the misuse of visas and illegal begging abroad. While Saudi Arabia and other countries continue to enforce strict measures, Pakistan faces growing pressure to safeguard its citizens’ conduct overseas and protect its diplomatic relationships in the region.
