Beggars on Umrah visa hike, Saudi tightens rules for Pakistani pilgrims

Saudi Arabia warns Pakistan about the residents found begging on the Haram land. This is based on the growing number of Pakistani citizens who come to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas but become rampant beggars.

According to the Hindustan Times (26/9/2024), the Saudi authorities asked the Pakistani government to take immediate steps to stop its citizens from getting Umrah visas. The reason is that most Pakistanis who come with Umrah visas then become beggars.

The Saudi Hajj Ministry has officially warned about the growing number of beggars entering Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas meant for Hajj pilgrims. Saudi officials are concerned that the actions of these people are damaging the reputation of Pakistani pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia has warned that if the situation gets out of control, it could adversely affect Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.

After this, the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Pakistan plans to introduce an “Umrah Law” to regulate travel agents who facilitate Umrah trips. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Ahmed Al-Malki that strict measures will be taken and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been assigned to lead the operation.

Last year, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Arshad Mahmood pointed out that several countries had expressed concerns about the behavior of some Pakistani citizens, especially in terms of work ethics, attitudes and involvement in criminal activities.

As reported by Gulf Insider, last May, the Saudi government issued a regulation prohibiting pilgrims from performing the Hajj without a special visa. This regulation stipulates a fine of 10,000 Riyals (about Rp. 40.3 million) and the threat of deportation for members of the congregation who violate it.

Referring to a report published last year, 90 percent of terrorists arrested abroad were Pakistani citizens.

Last September, 16 people suspected of being beggars were arrested at Karachi airport and taken off a plane bound for Saudi Arabia. They were arrested after being stopped and questioned by FIA officials.

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