"Beggars travelling abroad bring disgrace to the nation."
The Pakistani government plans to block the passports of over 2,000 individuals caught engaging in begging abroad.
According to reports, the government will invalidate the passports of those involved in professional begging overseas for seven years.
The government has designed these stringent measures to protect the nation’s international reputation.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior said:
“Beggars travelling abroad bring disgrace to the nation.”
It has come to light that many people from Pakistan travel to other countries to undertake begging activities.
In October 2023, 16 individuals, reportedly from Pakistan, posing as pilgrims, tried to enter Saudi Arabia. They all had Umrah visas.
Authorities detained the individuals due to suspicions that they intended to beg abroad rather than undertake a religious pilgrimage.
During the immigration process, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) questioned the passengers. The passengers confessed that they were going to beg in Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, they revealed that they would have to give half of their earnings from begging.
Specifically, they would have to give half their earrings to the agents involved in their travel arrangements.
The reason for detainment was again suspicions that begging abroad was the goal.
For authorities, the role of agents cannot be ignored.
The Pakistani government is also focused on blocking the passports of agents who facilitate individuals begging in foreign countries.
Professional begging within Pakistan has been a pressing concern for authorities for several years.
In 2011, the Lahore High Court ruled that the government should strictly enforce laws to discourage “professional beggary”.
Lawyer Mohammad Tayyab said:
“Most beggars, if arrested, get bail.”
“Judges also take into consideration the lack of welfare homes for destitute people, and the result is that once released, offenders again start begging.”
In 2023, the Ministry’s Secretary revealed to the Senate panel that 90% of beggars apprehended in foreign countries are from Pakistan.
Reports highlight that the Interior Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs are making efforts to create a coordinated policy to address the matter.
For the Pakistani government and authorities, begging abroad damages Pakistan’s reputation and diminishes the honour of its citizens.
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