The information was shared by Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi during a meeting with Deputy Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia Dr Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al Maliki was also present.
The interior minister told the Saudi deputy interior minister that the names of around 4,300 beggars were placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) as zero tolerance policy had been adopted against beggars going to Saudi Arabia.
Besides, Mr Naqvi said, an effective crackdown was being ensured across the country against the ‘beggar mafia’. He vowed to ensure all possible steps for the promotion of bilateral cooperation.
He said there was no visa requirement for Saudi nationals visiting Pakistan and that they can come to Pakistan whenever they want. He also proposed to declare Islamabad and Riyadh twin cities and the Saudi deputy minister of interior agreed to it. Necessary steps would be taken in this regard.
The two sides also agreed to implement the prisoner swap deal and to complete the legal process for the repatriation of 419 Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia soon. They also discussed joint training of paramilitary forces and police of both countries.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj urged Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs to address the rising issue of Pakistani beggars entering the Kingdom under the guise of religious pilgrimage, media reported, citing the Religious Affairs Ministry statement.
As per the The Express Tribune report, Sources within the Ministry of Religious Affairs have reported that Saudi authorities have expressed concerns about an increasing number of Pakistani individuals traveling to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas and engaging in begging activities. The ministry cautioned that if this issue persists, it could adversely impact the reputation and future arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims undertaking Umrah and Hajj.
In a letter addressed to Pakistan's Ministry, Saudi officials warned that failure to address this issue may have consequences for Pakistani pilgrims, news agency ANI reported. "If the situation persists, it may affect the experience of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims from Pakistan," the Saudi official said in a letter.
Pakistan's economic challenges have significantly impacted its inflation rate, which has risen sharply in recent years. These challenges include a weak currency, high fiscal deficits, and a balance of payment crisis. The soaring inflation has had widespread consequences, from increasing the cost of basic goods to limiting opportunities for citizens to afford international pilgrimages like Hajj.
