In an interested development, authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested at least ten Pakistanis, including five women, for begging in the Middle Eastern country.
The UAE authorities had also issued warning recently to its citizens to not give any money or assistance to people begging openly in public spaces, mosques or streets.
Pakistani authorities have been reportedly informed about the development as security sources have revealed that out of the five women, three belonged to district Vehari and two belonged to Lahore district.
Likewise, five male beggars who were arrested by UAE authorities were: Muhammad Zakariya from Dera Ghazi Khan, Waseem Haider from Bahawalnagar, Muhammad Usman from Lahore, Ijaz Khan from Charsadda, and Abdullah from Peshawar.
It merits a mention that Pakistan has suffered internationally because of growing menace of beggar mafia. The criminal enterprise has reached abroad and continue to damage Pakistan’s reputation, arguably also making it easier for other countries to impose travel restrictions on Pakistanis.
Last year, interior minister Mohsin Naqvi met Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood to discuss the issue of Pakistanis disguising themselves as visitors but later resorting to begging in foreign country.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly raised this issue multiple times with Pakistan as Naqvi stated: “A zero tolerance policy has been adopted against beggars going to Saudi Arabia.”
Earlier this month, 52,520 Pakistani nationals were banned from travelling abroad due to illegal activities concerns.
The individuals banned from travelling abroad had a record of being deported from the United States, European nations, and Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Emergency passports have been issued for the recently apprehended beggars in UAE so that they can be immediately deported.
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