Pakistan has taken strict steps against its own citizens to prevent begging in Saudi Arabia. From now on, Pakistanis will have to give a ‘no begging’ bond before going to Umrah and Hajj.
Citing Pakistani media, Saudi media ‘Sabq’ and Middle Eastern media Gulf News reported that the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Pakistan has issued new rules for Pakistanis wishing to go to Umrah and Hajj. The new rules state that before going to perform the holy Umrah and Hajj, they must give a bond that they will not go to Mecca and beg.
Last September, the Saudi government gave a strict message to the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Pakistan that no Pakistani should enter the country on such a visa for the purpose of begging in the name of Hajj.
In view of this, the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Pakistan informed Saudi Arabia that they have already sent 4,300 beggars to the ‘Exit Control’ list. The Pakistani government has adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ policy in this regard.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs also said that only those who wish to go for Umrah in groups will be allowed. In addition, travel agencies that transport Hajj pilgrims have also been asked to take a bond from each Pakistani pilgrim.
After receiving a letter from the Saudi government, the Ministry of Religious Affairs decided to introduce a new ‘Umrah Law’, which aims to regulate travel agencies that facilitate Umrah travel and bring them under legal supervision.
Pakistan also said that action has already been taken against agencies that send such beggars.
The country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) recently arrested four travel agents involved in sending people to Saudi Arabia for begging in the name of Umrah.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia has intensified its anti-begging campaign under the slogan ‘Together We Combat Begging’. Saudi authorities have urged the public to donate through legal channels to stop begging. This week, Saudi police arrested two Somali women for begging in the city of Taif.
