Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has deported approximately 24,000 Pakistani beggars back to Islamabad, marking a significant crackdown on illegal activities tarnishing the kingdom’s image during religious pilgrimages.
The mass deportation, executed over the past year, targets individuals who entered Saudi Arabia on Umrah or Hajj visas but engaged in organised begging, often exploiting the generosity of pilgrims.
Saudi authorities, in collaboration with Pakistan’s embassy, identified these individuals through intensified surveillance and public complaints. Many deportees, hailing from impoverished regions, were part of syndicates that amassed significant sums by posing as destitute pilgrims.
The kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that such activities disrupt the sanctity of holy sites and burden local resources. Deportees face a lifetime ban from entering Saudi Arabia, with their data shared with Interpol to curb re-entry attempts.
The move has sparked mixed reactions. In Pakistan, some view it as a necessary step to restore national dignity, while others highlight the economic desperation driving such migration. Social media posts on X reflect public frustration, with users urging Islamabad to address unemployment and poverty to prevent such incidents. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has pledged to rehabilitate returnees, though details remain scarce.
This deportation underscores Saudi Arabia’s broader push to regulate pilgrimage tourism and curb visa misuse. For the deportees, the journey back to Islamabad signals an uncertain future, with hopes pinned on government support to break the cycle of poverty.