Saudi Arabia Warns Pakistan To Prevent Beggars From Entering Country

Saudi Arabia warned Pakistan about the increasing number of Pakistani nationals arriving in the Kingdom under the guise of religious pilgrimage who then engage in begging. Saudi authorities to call on Islamabad to take immediate action to stop this and warned that failure to do so could have negative consequences for Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.

Saudi authorities are alarmed by Pakistani nationals arriving for Umrah who engage in begging. Pakistan plans to introduce an 'Umrah Act' to regulate travel agencies and ensure compliance with Saudi expectations.(AFP)

News agency PTI reported that Saudi ministry of Hajj formally warned about the increasing number of beggars entering Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas which are meant for religious pilgrims. Saudi officials are concerned that the actions of these individuals are damaging the reputation of Pakistani pilgrims, the report claimed.