Saudi Arabia warns Pakistan about the growing number of Pakistani beggars entering the Kingdom under Umrah visas. The Saudi government expressed that this issue, if not addressed immediately, could jeopardize the religious and diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Beggars pretending to be Umrah pilgrims have become a significant concern, as they misuse the pilgrimage as an opportunity to enter the Kingdom and beg in the streets.
Umrah is an important Islamic pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which takes place during specific dates according to the Islamic calendar.
However, the misuse of Umrah visas for unlawful activities, such as begging, is not only a violation of Saudi Arabian laws but also an abuse of a sacred religious practice. This issue has become serious enough to warrant direct intervention from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj.
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The warning from Saudi Arabia highlights the gravity of the situation and underscores the need for Pakistan to take immediate and decisive action. If left unchecked, the influx of beggars under Umrah visas could have far-reaching implications for the bilateral ties between the two countries.
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The Kingdom has clearly indicated that it expects the Pakistani government to address this issue with urgency and enforce stricter measures to prevent further abuse of Umrah visas.
The Growing Issue of Beggars Under Umrah Visas
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a disturbing rise in the number of foreign beggars entering the country under the guise of religious pilgrims.
Many of these beggars come from Pakistan, where they apply for Umrah visas with the intention of begging in Saudi Arabia’s streets. The influx of beggars, particularly during religious pilgrimage seasons, has caused concern among Saudi authorities, who view it as a violation of the sanctity of the pilgrimage.
The Umrah pilgrimage holds deep religious significance for Muslims worldwide. It is a sacred journey undertaken to seek spiritual fulfillment, forgiveness, and blessings. However, when individuals exploit this religious practice for begging, it not only tarnishes the image of the pilgrimage but also creates a logistical and social burden for the Saudi authorities.
The presence of beggars in holy sites such as Mecca and Medina disrupts the peaceful and spiritual environment intended for pilgrims and raises concerns about public safety, order, and health.
The issue of Pakistani beggars entering Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas has drawn significant attention due to the scale and frequency of the problem.
According to reports from Saudi officials, these beggars are often part of organized criminal networks that facilitate their travel, provide them with Umrah visas, and arrange for their transportation to Saudi Arabia. These networks take advantage of the relaxed regulations surrounding Umrah visas to send individuals who have no intention of performing the pilgrimage.
Many of these beggars are fully aware of the legal risks they face, but they are willing to take the gamble due to the potential profits from begging in Saudi Arabia.
In fact, many beggars from Pakistan have confessed that they are required to give a portion of their earnings to the travel agencies and organizers that facilitate their journey. This illegal business model has thrived in part because of weak oversight and regulation in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, making it difficult for authorities to curb the problem.
Saudi Arabia warns Pakistan to Take Legal Actions
The growing number of Pakistani beggars arriving on Umrah visas has forced Saudi Arabia to take swift and decisive action. In September, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj formally warned Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs that if the issue of beggars entering the Kingdom under Umrah visas was not addressed, it could have serious consequences for the relationship between the two nations.
Saudi officials made it clear that they expect Pakistan to implement stronger regulations and crack down on those who misuse the Umrah pilgrimage for unlawful activities.
To further emphasize their stance, Saudi authorities have taken steps to enforce stricter laws and regulations regarding the Umrah pilgrimage. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia introduced new penalties for performing Hajj or Umrah without proper permits. Violators face fines of up to 10,000 Riyals (approximately Rs 2.22 lakh) and potential deportation.
This move was designed to deter individuals from misusing pilgrimage visas, ensuring that only genuine pilgrims enter the Kingdom for religious purposes.
In addition to these penalties, Saudi authorities have stepped up efforts to monitor and control the flow of pilgrims arriving for Umrah. Enhanced border controls, visa scrutiny, and collaboration with international law enforcement agencies have been put in place to prevent criminal networks from exploiting the pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia has also increased its intelligence-sharing efforts with Pakistan, providing information about known beggar networks and those suspected of using Umrah visas for begging.
The Saudi government’s actions demonstrate their commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the Umrah pilgrimage and ensuring that the Kingdom is not burdened by the activities of foreign beggars.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia has made it clear that they expect Pakistan to play a leading role in resolving this issue by taking action against the criminal networks that facilitate the entry of beggars into the Kingdom.
Pakistan’s Measures to Address the Issue
In response to the warning from Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani government has announced a series of measures to address the issue of beggars traveling to Saudi Arabia under Umrah visas.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has taken the lead in implementing new regulations aimed at curbing the misuse of Umrah visas. One of the key initiatives is the proposed “Umrah Act,” which would bring travel agencies organizing Umrah trips under tighter legal oversight.
The Umrah Act will introduce strict guidelines and requirements for travel agencies, ensuring that they only issue Umrah visas to genuine pilgrims. Agencies that fail to comply with these regulations or are found to be involved in facilitating the travel of beggars will face heavy fines, license suspensions, or even criminal charges.
The aim of the Umrah Act is to prevent fraudulent visa applications and ensure that the pilgrimage remains a legitimate and respected religious practice.
In addition to the new regulations on travel agencies, the Pakistani government has also taken direct action against individuals involved in begging abroad. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), under the guidance of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, has launched a comprehensive crackdown on the criminal networks responsible for sending beggars to Saudi Arabia.
This includes targeting the organizers, middlemen, and facilitators who profit from the illegal business of arranging Umrah visas for beggars.
Earlier this year, the FIA took action at Multan airport, where they removed a group of 16 beggars from a flight bound for Saudi Arabia. The group, which included 11 women, four men, and a child, had been issued Umrah visas and were intending to beg in Saudi Arabia.
During questioning, the beggars admitted that they were part of an organized network and would have handed over a portion of their earnings to the travel agencies that facilitated their trip.
Pakistan’s efforts to address the issue have also included blocking the passports of known beggars who have been involved in begging abroad. According to reports, the Pakistani government has decided to suspend the passports of over 2,000 individuals who have engaged in begging in foreign countries.
These individuals will be barred from traveling for the next seven years, effectively preventing them from exploiting Umrah visas or any other travel arrangements to engage in illegal activities.
The Pakistani government has acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and is working to prevent any further deterioration of relations with Saudi Arabia.
By introducing stricter regulations, cracking down on criminal networks, and blocking the travel of known beggars, Pakistan aims to restore the integrity of the Umrah pilgrimage and address Saudi Arabia’s concerns.
The recent warning from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan regarding the misuse of Umrah visas by beggars has brought attention to an issue that threatens the sanctity of the religious pilgrimage and the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The influx of beggars using Umrah visas to enter Saudi Arabia is a clear violation of both Saudi Arabian laws and Islamic principles, and it has become a major concern for the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has taken steps to address the issue by enforcing stricter regulations, issuing penalties for unauthorized pilgrims, and working closely with Pakistani authorities to dismantle the networks responsible for sending beggars to the Kingdom.
In response, Pakistan has introduced new regulations, such as the proposed Umrah Act, and taken action against travel agencies and individuals involved in facilitating the illegal activities.
The cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is essential in resolving this issue and ensuring that the Umrah pilgrimage remains a respected and meaningful religious practice.
By addressing the root causes of the problem and enforcing stricter measures, both nations can work towards maintaining the sanctity of the pilgrimage and preserving their longstanding bilateral relationship.
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