Saudi Arabia has been worried for some time about the increasing number of beggars coming to it from Pakistan. This time, 16 such people have been caught.
According to Dawn, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) deboarded 16 alleged beggars disguised as pilgrims from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Multan airport during the Umrah season. According to the FIA, the group included 16 people, including a child, 11 women and four men, who were travelling on Umrah visas.
During the immigration process, FIA officers interrogated the passengers, who confessed that they were going to Saudi Arabia to beg.
Agents Helping Beggars
He also revealed that he has to give half of his earnings from begging to the agents involved in his travel arrangements. He was to return to Pakistan after the expiry of his Umrah visa. FIA Multan Circle arrested the passengers for further questioning and legal action.
The arrest came a day after the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development revealed to the Senate Committee that a significant portion of beggars are trafficked abroad through illegal channels.
90 Percent of Pakistanis Caught Abroad
The ministry’s secretary told the Senate panel that 90 per cent of the beggars caught abroad are from Pakistan. He said, “Both the Iraqi and Saudi ambassadors have reported overcrowding in prisons due to these arrests.”
