Saudi Arab has warned Pakistan for sending beggars who are entering the kingdom on Umrah visas. In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has presented an “Umrah Act” to regulate travel agencies and prevent such mishaps, and the Federal Investigation Agency has been tasked with cracking down on networks responsible for sending beggars abroad.
The Saudi warning epitomizes the amount of diplomatic stress between the two countries over this issue. The introduction of the Umrah Act is established as a legal framework to monitor and regulate travel for Umrah. It demanded, for instance, that travel agencies see to it that the pilgrims traveled for legitimate religious purposes.
Saudi Arab has warned Pakistan for sending beggars, government takes useful measures
Saudi Arabia has been continuously talking over the misused Umrah visas. Pakistan wants to devise new strategies along with the new government so that this illegal practice could be curbed. The FIA crackdown on human trafficking and illegal travelers is part of bigger efforts to improve Pakistan’s image.
Further, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is consulting with the Saudi officials in order to strengthen cooperation۔ This is not the first instance Saudi Arab has warned Pakistan for sending beggars. In last two years, the incident has been repeated a couple of times۔
Now, FIA is advised to keep track of these individuals. Recently, the agency offloaded 11 beggars from a flight heading to Saudi Arabia at Karachi airport.
Pakistani beggars also entered Iran and Iraq under pilgrimage visas
Moreover, Iran and Iraq, countries that are of utmost religious importance to Muslims, have also issued similar warning to Pakistan. Several gulf countries have discussed behaviour of overseas Pakistanis within their realm. It remains to be seen how the government will tackle these issues.
Also, see: Which country profited amidst Middle East tension and which are in loss?
