Islamabad: Saudi Arabia has expressed concern over the increasing number of Pakistani beggars coming under the guise of Umrah and has asked Pakistan to take action to stop such people from entering the Gulf country.

Hajj pilgrims will be adversely affected

Citing sources in Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Express Tribune newspaper reported that Saudi authorities have warned that if the situation is not controlled, it will have a negative impact on Umrah and Haj pilgrims from Pakistan.

Travel agencies will have to be monitored

Following Saudi Arabia's warning, Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs has decided to introduce the Umrah Act, which aims to bring travel agencies arranging Umrah under legal supervision.

Pakistan assured action

Earlier, in a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed al-Maliki, Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi had assured him that strict action would be taken against the mafia responsible for sending beggars to Saudi Arabia.

The game going on under the guise of Umrah

Pakistani beggars travel to the Gulf country under the guise of Umrah. Most of the people go to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visa and then get involved in activities related to begging.

arrested from inside the mosque

In September last year, 16 beggars disguised as pilgrims were deboarded from a flight to Saudi Arabia. These beggars were arrested for trying to travel to the Gulf state to beg. Khanzada was quoted in local media as saying that most of the pickpockets arrested from inside the mosque were Pakistani nationals.