Pakistan has officially started the application of certain strict rules to limit the exploitation of visas issued for Umrah in Saudi Arabia for begging purposes, media reports stated.
According to Gulf News, the new rules demanded Umrah pilgrims to sign an affidavit before departing Pakistan promising that they will never beg during Umrah season.
Consequently, the Pakistani authorities has set up blacklists for those who are involved in misusing the Umrah visas for illegal purposes.
This procedure aims basically to reduce the begging mafia that has been distorting Pakistan’s image in Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani media outlet ARY News reported.
Furthermore, pilgrims will depart for Umrah in groups, not individually.
Therefore, travelers will be more accountable for their own actions and less likely to engage in begging.
Crucially, tour operators will be an integral part of the anti-begging efforts as they will be responsible for obtaining affidavits from pilgrims.
The Pakistani Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has recently conducted operations and arrested four travel agents caught red-handed sending Pakistanis to Saudi Arabia for begging.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom has intensified anti-begging campaigns titled “Together We Combat Begging” and advised people to make their donations through legal channels.
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