The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has recently intercepted a group of eight individuals disguised as Umrah pilgrims at Multan airport. It was discovered during immigration procedures that the group was actually planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of begging. The group had handed over a substantial sum of money to an individual named Mr. Javed, who was responsible for processing their visas.
According to a statement issued by FIA immigration officer Tariq Mehmood, the group openly admitted that they intended to engage in begging while in Saudi Arabia, with half of the amount they collected being handed over to a sub-agent. The FIA seized the group’s statements and passports and handed them over to the Anti Human Trafficking and Smuggling Wing in Multan for further legal action. The FIA intends to file a case against the culprits under the Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018.
This incident is part of a ongoing crackdown by the FIA against individuals suspected of using Umrah pilgrimages as a cover for illegal activities, particularly begging. Just two days ago, the agency offloaded a group of 16 alleged beggars from a flight bound for Saudi Arabia at the same airport. This group, consisting of 11 women, four men, and one child, admitted that they were required to give half of their earnings from begging to the agents who arranged their travel.
This recent development comes after the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development revealed to the Senate Committee on Overseas Pakistanis that a significant number of beggars were being trafficked abroad through illegal channels. The ministry’s secretary informed the Senate panel that a staggering 90% of beggars apprehended in foreign countries were Pakistani nationals. This has prompted both the Iraqi and Saudi ambassadors to report overcrowded jails resulting from the arrest of these individuals.