Saudi Arabia, UAE Take Action Against Pakistani Begging Networks

Pakistan’s international image is once again facing criticism as reports of organized begging and illegal activities involving some of its citizens continue to emerge abroad. In recent months, Saudi Arabia has deported nearly 24,000 Pakistani citizens after finding many of them involved in begging activities. This situation has drawn global attention and raised serious concerns within Pakistan, as officials fear long-term damage to the country’s reputation. Authorities believe these activities are not isolated incidents but part of organized networks that misuse travel opportunities.

Alongside Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates has also tightened visa rules for Pakistani nationals. UAE officials have stated that some visitors from Pakistan were found involved in criminal activities after entering the country. Due to this, visa scrutiny has become much stricter. Data from Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) shows the scale of the issue, as more than 66,000 passengers were stopped at airports in 2025 alone. These passengers were suspected of being part of illegal migration or organized begging groups, and the action was taken to break such networks.

According to FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar, these organized groups are badly harming Pakistan’s image at the international level. He explained that the problem is not limited to Gulf countries. Similar cases have been reported in parts of Africa and Europe. Authorities have also detected misuse of tourist visas in countries such as Cambodia and Thailand. Besides Saudi Arabia, around 6,000 Pakistani citizens have been sent back from Dubai this year, while Azerbaijan has deported nearly 2,500 Pakistani beggars, further increasing concerns for the government.

This issue had already created tension with Saudi Arabia last year. In 2024, Saudi authorities officially asked Pakistan to stop the misuse of Umrah visas for begging purposes. The Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs warned that if such activities continued, it could lead to serious restrictions on Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. Legal experts in Pakistan have also warned that if strict action is not taken, the country may face tougher travel restrictions and further damage to its global standing.