Saudi Arabia Urges Pakistan to Curb Influx of Beggars Posing as Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has asked Pakistan to take stringent steps to prevent Pakistani beggars from entering the Kingdom under the pretense of religious pilgrimage. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has warned that the situation might negatively impact genuine Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. Pakistan plans to introduce an 'Umrah Act' to regulate travel agencies and prevent the misuse of pilgrimage visas.

Saudi Arabia has raised serious concerns about the increasing number of Pakistani beggars arriving under the pretense of religious pilgrimage and has urged Islamabad to take immediate action. This call comes amid fears of negative repercussions for legitimate Pakistani pilgrims.

Sources from Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs, as cited by the Express Tribune, revealed that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj issued a warning to Pakistan to control this situation. Failure to do so could detrimentally affect Pakistani pilgrims coming for Umrah and Hajj.

In response, Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs has proposed the introduction of an 'Umrah Act' designed to regulate and bring travel agencies facilitating Umrah trips under legal oversight. Additionally, the ministry has requested the Pakistani government to devise methods to prevent beggars from misusing pilgrimage visas.

(With inputs from agencies.)