Saudi Arabia has issued a stern warning to the Pakistani government over the increasing number of Pakistani beggars entering the kingdom, many of whom arrive under the guise of performing religious rites. The Saudi authorities cautioned that if the situation remains unchecked, it could have serious repercussions on the issuance of Hajj and Umrah visas.
A trickle down effect
TravelsDubai.com raised the issue with Mr. Qaisar Sharif, Secretary of Information for Jamaat-e-Islami, asking why Pakistanis continue to be involved in such disreputable activities. Sharif pointed to a "trickle-down effect" of inefficiency and corruption at the highest political and bureaucratic levels. "When people see their leaders plundering resources, dishonesty becomes normalized," he remarked.
Sharif lamented that Pakistan has failed to instill either Islamic values or the ethical standards of the civilized world, leading to a culture of shamelessness and desperation among the general public, fueled by economic mismanagement.
While condemning the act of begging, Sharif stressed that this does not mean abandoning those who are struggling. He urged the government to take responsibility for workforce development, create skill-building opportunities, and strengthen the foreign office to handle such crises at the grassroots level.
A recurring issue
In September last year, 16 individuals posing as pilgrims were offloaded from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight and arrested for attempting to enter the Gulf Kingdom to engage in begging.
Reports indicate that 90% of beggars apprehended in foreign countries are of Pakistani origin, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Government's Response
In response to the concerns raised by Saudi authorities, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs announced plans to introduce an "Umrah Act," aimed at regulating travel agencies that facilitate Umrah trips.