Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In an unprecedented move, Saudi Arabia has formally warned Pakistan to curb the influx of beggars entering the Kingdom under the guise of Umrah pilgrims. This warning comes amidst growing concerns over the number of Pakistani nationals exploiting religious pilgrimage visas for begging.
According to reports from various news outlets, Saudi authorities have expressed their dismay, highlighting that this issue not only strains the resources allocated for genuine pilgrims but also tarnishes the spiritual atmosphere of the holy cities. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reportedly communicated directly with Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, urging immediate action to address this situation.
The “Umrah Act,” a new legislative measure being introduced by Pakistan, aims to tighten regulations around travel agencies facilitating Umrah trips. This move is in direct response to Saudi Arabia’s complaints, aiming to prevent the misuse of pilgrimage visas.
Sources from within Pakistan confirm that there’s an alarming trend where a significant majority of beggars arrested abroad hail from Pakistan. This has led to not just embarrassment but also logistical issues for both countries.
Social media posts on X suggest public and governmental concern over this issue, with some users expressing shame over the situation, highlighting the urgency for Pakistan to manage its outbound pilgrims more stringently. The implications of this warning are profound. Saudi officials have hinted that failure to control this could negatively impact the experience of genuine Umrah and Hajj pilgrims from Pakistan, potentially leading to stricter visa policies or other punitive measures.
This development follows reports of several incidents where beggars, disguised as pilgrims, were apprehended or offloaded from flights bound for Saudi Arabia, signaling a crackdown on what appears to be an organized activity. The response from Pakistan has been swift in the wake of this diplomatic embarrassment.
Besides the Umrah Act, there’s talk of implementing more rigorous checks and balances for those applying for Umrah visas, aiming to restore the sanctity of the pilgrimage and maintain cordial relations with Saudi Arabia. As this story develops, both nations are at a critical juncture, with Pakistan needing to demonstrate its commitment to addressing this issue, ensuring that the spiritual journey of Umrah remains untainted by mendicancy.
