A social problem

Beggars from foreign countries visit many Gulf countries during their pilgrimage. Many live well in their own country. However, this flow to the Gulf countries is aimed at the large amount of money that can be obtained through begging. It is a regular occurrence that the mafia, which works to conduct and control the pilgrimage, also finds a place in the news. This time, Saudi Arabia has come forward with a tough stance against Pakistani beggars.

Saudi Arabia this week asked Pakistan to stop the misuse of Umrah visas by beggars to reach the holy cities of Mecca and Medina for begging. This trend of refugees misusing visas for begging in foreign countries is a cause of concern for Pakistanis and Pakistani visa seekers.

That concern is not misplaced. Pakistan’s Express Tribune reported on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has warned that if the situation is not brought under control, it will adversely affect Pakistani Umrah and Haj pilgrims. International media reports that the streets of Saudi Arabia are full of Pakistani beggars.

Saudis see fake beggars as traitors to pilgrims. It is not only Saudi Arabia, but Pakistani beggars are found in many countries in the Middle East, including the UAE last September, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Zeeshan Khanzada said that 90 percent of beggars imprisoned in West Asian countries were from Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Geo News reported that Urdu Khanzada reported last September that ambassadors in Iraq and Saudi Arabia told them that Pakistani beggars are traveling abroad on Umrah visas in the name of Ziyarat (pilgrimage ) and then begging on the streets.

∙ Mafia network behind the export of beggars
The Interior Minister of Pakistan, Mohsin Naqvi, revealed that this is not the work of one person and that mafia is working behind it. Naqvi said in a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed Al Malki that strict measures will be taken against the mafias who send bribes to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan has asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to stop this network of sending weavers abroad. An FIA official told Dawn that immigration officials at Pakistan’s international airports are being more vigilant about passengers traveling regularly to the Middle East for short periods.

The FIA ​​official said that if there is any doubt, the passengers will board the plane. A month ago, FIA dropped 11 beggars from Karachi airport from a flight to Saudi Arabia.

∙ Pakistani beggars and visa crisis
Lameness is now a big headache not only for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia or people from other Middle Eastern countries but also for Pakistanis. This comes amid an economic crisis in Pakistan and a record number of people seeking work abroad legally.

“Legitimate travelers, students and workers applying for valid visas are subject to extra scrutiny at foreign embassies and are routinely denied visas,” wrote Rafia Zakaria in Dawn.

Zakaria says that millions of Pakistanis who cannot even think of begging abroad are stuck at home with their passports because of some mistakes. Also, Pakistan wants the Middle East and Gulf countries to tighten their visa checks to stop the importation of Pakistani beggars.

“Instead of forcing Pakistani authorities to crack down on beggars, criminals and illegal immigrants, these countries should look into their visa processing system,” said a senior FIA official. to Dawn.

In July, Geo News had reported how employers in the Gulf countries prefer to hire workers from other regional countries such as Bangladesh instead of Pakistan. This was due to the ‘deplorable quality of Pakistani labour’.

The overall image of Pakistan abroad is not encouraging for Pakistani job seekers. Not only are countries like Saudi Arabia sending out beggars, but Pakistanis seeking opportunities abroad legally face a major hurdle as they face visa checks that ‘ growing and declining.