Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood in Islamabad to discuss the troubling trend of Pakistanis traveling to Saudi Arabia on pilgrim and other visas and subsequently resorting to begging.
Concerns Over Visa Abuse
The Pakistani government is increasingly worried about the misuse of visas by beggars, which could negatively impact legitimate visa-seekers, especially religious pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that Riyadh has raised concerns about this issue on multiple occasions during discussions with Islamabad.
Zero Tolerance Policy Announced
Following the meeting, the Pakistani Interior Ministry stated, “Discussions included measures to combat the mafia that facilitates the migration of beggars from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia.” A zero tolerance policy against begging-related travel to Saudi Arabia has been adopted.
Interior Minister Naqvi revealed that the names of 4,300 beggars have been added to a no-fly list, and an “effective crackdown” is underway across the country to address this issue.
Prisoner Exchange Agreement
In addition to addressing the begging issue, the two officials agreed on the implementation of a prisoner exchange agreement. Naqvi noted that legal proceedings for the repatriation of 419 Pakistani prisoners currently held in Saudi Arabia would be finalized soon.
Crackdown on Illegal Networks
Previously, Naqvi had directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to target the network facilitating illegal travel for beggars, emphasizing that such activities harm Pakistan’s reputation internationally.
Significant Pakistani Expatriate Community
Pakistanis represent the second-largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, with over 2.5 million individuals living and working in the Kingdom, which serves as the primary source of remittances for Pakistan.
