21/04/2025
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21/04/2025
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KARACHI, April 21: According to a briefing given by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to a parliamentary body last year, Saudi Arabia deported approximately 4,000 Pakistani beggars over a three-year period ending in 2024. The deportations were carried out under Saudi Arabia's Anti-Begging Regulation, which imposes strict penalties—including fines, imprisonment, and potential deportation—for those caught begging or participating in organized begging networks.
A senior FIA official stated that many of the deported individuals were professional beggars originating from regions such as South Punjab, Karachi, and Interior Sindh. He further noted that upon their return to Pakistan, these individuals are added to the FIA Immigration’s Passport Control List (PCL), which bars them from traveling abroad again.
The FIA has also taken proactive measures at international airports, including offloading passengers suspected of intending to beg overseas. For instance, 16 individuals were removed from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Multan Airport after admitting plans to beg during their stay . Additionally, 10 deportees were arrested upon arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport and handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for further legal action
