8 months ago
Pakistan Cracks Down on Organized Begging
Pakistan is trying to stop people from going to other countries to beg.
They have sent back many people who were caught begging in places like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Azerbaijan.
The government has also made new laws to punish people who force others to beg.
They think this is hurting Pakistan's reputation.
Some people say the government's actions are too harsh and don't solve the bigger problem of poverty.
There are a lot of beggars in Pakistan, and some groups make money by making children beg.
The government is trying to stop this by checking people at airports and suspending passports of those who might go to beg.
Pakistan's FIA offloaded 66,154 passengers in 2025 to dismantle organized begging syndicates.
Saudi Arabia deported 56,000 Pakistani nationals for begging, followed by the UAE with 6,000 and Azerbaijan with 2,500.
Pakistan passed bills banning organized begging and increasing penalties for traffickers.
The government suspended the passports of 2,000 individuals accused of traveling abroad to beg.
Nearly 90% of beggars apprehended overseas are Pakistani, with about 44,000 repatriated in the last two-and-a-half years.
- Who
- Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistani nationals, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan
- What
- Crackdown on organized begging networks and illegal migration
- Where
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran
- When
- Ongoing, with specific data from 2024 and 2025
- Why
- To combat organized begging, illegal migration, and protect Pakistan's international reputation
Government Actions
Critics
Effectiveness of Measures
Government Actions
The government's actions, including deportations and legislative measures, are necessary to protect Pakistan's international reputation and combat organized begging.
Critics
Critics argue that the measures are harsh and may not address the root causes of poverty and desperation that drive people to beg.
Key facts
- Number of Pakistanis deported by Saudi Arabia
- 56,000
- Number of Pakistanis deported by UAE
- 6,000
- Number of Pakistanis deported by Azerbaijan
- 2,500
- Total passengers offloaded by Pakistan's FIA in 2025
- 66,154
- Estimated percentage of beggars in West Asia who are Pakistani
- 90%
- Number of individuals whose passports were suspended
- 2,000
- Number of beggars placed on the Exit Control List
- 4,300
Timeline
Saudi Arabia halts Indian, Pakistani visas over Hajj fears, spiking crime.
Beggars, criminals surge; Riyadh warns Islamabad.
56,000 Pakistanis deported as Saudi crackdown intensifies.
Quotes
Riffat Mukhtar
Head of Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
“56,000 Pakistanis involved in organised begging were recently deported from Saudi Arabia.”
wionews.com
A social media user from Pakistan
A Pakistani social media user
“I just came back from Umrah, and I assure you that I'm ashamed of being a Pakistani. They are begging inside the Bin Dawood store, they are begging during Umrah, and they are begging on the streets.”
wionews.com
Sources
Saudi Arabia deports 56,000 Pakistani beggars, Pak authorities offload 66,000 flying to beg abroad
Saudi Arabia Deports 56,000 Pakistanis In Crackdown Against Organised Begging
Pakistanis begging in Saudi Arabia: 56,000 deported back, 66,000 stopped from flying
Saudi Arabia Deports 24,000 Pakistani Beggars After Warning To Islamabad
Saudi Arabia Deports 56,000 Pakistani Beggars After Warning To Islamabad
Pakistan offloaded 66,000 travellers this year. They were going to Riyadh to be beggars
Related news
Rights group demands criminal probe into Pakistani police custody deaths
Pakistan Establishes Crypto Unit to Combat Money Laundering
Immigration Fraud and Corruption Nexus Exposed in Pakistan
Pakistan Journalists' Union Condemns Cybercrime Cases
