FIA foils Umrah scam: Beggars arrested before departing for Saudi Arabia

Arrested individuals, including women and children, hail from Kassowal town in Punjab’s Sahiwal district

The Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Immigration unit on Friday apprehended a group of beggars attempting to leave for Saudi Arabia under the pretext of undertaking the sacred Umrah pilgrimage.

Shockingly, the group included children and women, raising serious concerns about the exploitation of religious sentiments for illegal activities, Express News reported.

The operation, led by Director FIA Khalid Anees, uncovered a disturbing trend of exploitation by an agent named Nuro, who is allegedly responsible for facilitating these beggars to enter Saudi Arabia, where they would engage in begging within the holy cities of Islam.

The arrested individuals, comprising eight women, four men, and as many children, all hail from Kassowal town in Punjab's Chichawatni tehsil, Sahiwal district.

Upon their apprehension at Multan Airport, the arrested individuals were subjected to further investigation, with the FIA Immigration unit determined to uncover the extent of this scheme and bring those responsible to justice.

Also read: Pakistani beggars plague Middle East, raising trust concerns

This recent incident sheds light on a broader issue that Pakistan is grappling with, as revealed in a recent report shared with the senators. The report disclosed that a staggering 90% of professional beggars arrested in Middle Eastern nations are Pakistani nationals. Moreover, these beggars are often involved in petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, in and around the revered Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia.

These alarming statistics prompted a heated discussion during a meeting of the Standing Committee of Overseas Pakistanis, chaired by Senator Manzoor Kakar, on Wednesday. Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Zulfikar Haider expressed his deep frustration and raised concerns over the inadequate measures taken to address this escalating issue.

Haider disclosed shocking details about the extent of the problem and its impact on the reputation of overseas Pakistanis. He stated, "Beggars are leaving Pakistan en masse, often traveling by boatloads, and then exploiting Umrah and visit visas to beg from pilgrims abroad."

Haider went on to highlight that prisons in Iraq and Saudi Arabia are now housing a significant number of Pakistani beggars, further tarnishing the image of Pakistanis abroad.