The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Karachi has arrested eight individuals in two distinct operations for attempting to travel with fraudulent documents, some of whom are associated with international begging schemes.
In the first operation, five passengers were detained at the airport while trying to board flights to Saudi Arabia under the guise of performing Umrah. The individuals—Noori Anwar, Aasia Bibi, Sameena Bibi, Sakeena Bibi, and Muhammad Akram—were apprehended during immigration checks for flights QR 611 and XY 638. Initial investigations indicated their intention to beg in Saudi Arabia, and they were unable to provide legitimate documentation for hotel accommodations or travel expenses. They have been referred to Karachi’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for further legal action.
In the second operation, three individuals were arrested for attempting to travel to Azerbaijan using counterfeit study visas. The suspects—Salman, Muhammad Noman, and Muhammad Hussain—were flagged during immigration checks due to suspicious documents. A fake German visa was also discovered on Muhammad Hussain’s phone. Investigations revealed that they obtained these bogus study visas through an agent named Asim based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who had promised to arrange German visas upon their arrival in Azerbaijan. The suspects paid large sums to this agent, with Hussain, a police officer from Peshawar, paying Rs. 800,000. All suspects have been handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for further legal proceedings.
Saudi Ministry Urges Action on Pakistani Beggars
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has officially requested that Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs address the growing issue of Pakistani beggars entering the Kingdom on Umrah visas. Saudi authorities are concerned that these activities could negatively impact the experiences of genuine Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has been warned that if the issue is not resolved, it could disrupt the religious journeys of Pakistani pilgrims.
In response, the Pakistani Ministry of Religious Affairs is developing an “Umrah Act” to regulate travel agencies facilitating Umrah trips. This legislation aims to put these agencies under legal oversight to prevent beggars from misusing religious pilgrimages. The ministry is also collaborating with other government departments to dismantle the networks responsible for sending beggars to Saudi Arabia.
Targeting Begging Networks
The FIA has been tasked with targeting networks that send beggars to Saudi Arabia under Umrah visas. Saudi officials have indicated that the increasing number of Pakistani beggars could disrupt the experiences of legitimate pilgrims. This situation was brought to the attention of Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, leading Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to assure Saudi officials that strict measures would be enacted.
The FIA has already initiated steps to address this issue, having previously removed 11 suspected beggars from a flight heading to Saudi Arabia at Karachi airport last month. During questioning, these individuals admitted their intention to beg in Saudi Arabia. This crackdown on such networks is part of a wider effort to safeguard Pakistan’s reputation internationally and prevent the misuse of Umrah visas.
Family Detained for Attempting to Beg in Saudi Arabia
At Faisalabad Airport, the FIA immigration team detained a family attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia under the pretense of performing Umrah, but allegedly involved in begging. Munawar Hussain, Shafia Bibi, and a minor were arrested after it was revealed they had previously traveled to Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia for begging. The family lacked proof of income, return tickets, and proper hotel bookings.
Authorities confirmed that this was not their first encounter; they had previously been offloaded from a flight at Lahore Airport earlier in the month. The FIA continues to work diligently to combat such activities and prevent individuals from exploiting religious travel for illicit purposes.
