Concerns regarding Pakistan’s international standing are escalating as reports of organized begging by its citizens abroad come to light. Recently, Saudi Arabia has expelled nearly 24,000 Pakistani individuals linked to begging activities, igniting global scrutiny and raising alarms in Islamabad over potential long-term ramifications for the nation’s reputation. Officials suggest these incidents are not mere anomalies but indicative of organized networks exploiting travel opportunities.
In tandem with Saudi actions, the United Arab Emirates has tightened visa regulations for Pakistani visitors. UAE authorities have discovered involvement in criminal activities among some Pakistani nationals entering the country. Consequently, visa processes have become increasingly stringent. According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan, over 66,000 travelers were halted at airports in 2025 due to suspicions linking them to illegal migrant activities or organized begging, prompting urgent steps to dismantle these networks.
FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar has stated that these organized activities severely tarnish Pakistan’s image globally. This issue extends beyond Gulf nations, with similar instances reported in various regions of Africa and Europe. Misuse of tourist visas has also been documented in countries like Cambodia and Thailand. This year alone, around 6,000 Pakistani nationals were returned from Dubai, and approximately 2,500 have faced deportation from Azerbaijan, intensifying concerns for the Pakistani government.
Relations with Saudi Arabia were already strained last year due to this issue. In 2024, Saudi authorities formally urged Pakistan to prevent the misuse of Umrah visas connected to begging. The Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs has cautioned that continued infractions could provoke stringent limitations on Pakistani pilgrims for Umrah and Hajj. Legal experts in Pakistan are warning that without decisive action, the nation could encounter harsher travel restrictions and further jeopardize its international reputation.
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