Wed Sep 25 02:36:48 UTC 2024: ## Saudi Arabia Warns Pakistan Over Rise in Beggars Posing as Pilgrims
**RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA** – Saudi Arabia has issued a stern warning to Pakistan regarding the increasing number of Pakistani beggars entering the country under the guise of religious pilgrimage. According to the Pakistani Express Tribune newspaper, Saudi authorities have expressed concerns that this trend could negatively impact the flow of legitimate Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has directly addressed the Pakistani Ministry of Religious Affairs, urging them to take immediate action to prevent beggars from obtaining Umrah visas. In response, Pakistan has announced plans to introduce an “Umrah Act” to regulate travel agencies facilitating Umrah trips, bringing them under stricter legal oversight.
The Pakistani government is also actively seeking ways to prevent beggars from utilizing religious pilgrimage as a cover for travel to Saudi Arabia.
This warning follows a Saudi fatwa issued in May, prohibiting Hajj without a permit and imposing a penalty of 10,000 Riyals (approximately Rs 2.22 lakh) along with deportation for violators. Last September, 16 beggars disguised as pilgrims were apprehended and removed from a flight to Saudi Arabia for attempting to beg in the Gulf Kingdom.
According to a report from last year, a staggering 90% of beggars arrested in foreign countries are Pakistani nationals.
First Piper 