Twenty-four alleged Pakistani beggars disguised as pilgrims were arrested at the Multan airport in Pakistan for attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia to engage in begging. This is the second incident in a few days, with a total of 32 individuals being offloaded from Saudi-bound flights. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) stated that the group confessed to going to Saudi Arabia to seek alms and a case is being registered against them under the Trafficking in Persons Act. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis revealed that 90% of beggars apprehended abroad are from Pakistan.
Pakistan s Overseas Ministry secretary Zulfikar Haider told the Senate panel during a discussion on skilled and unskilled labour leaving the country that a staggering 90% of professional beggars arrested in Middle Eastern nations hail from Pakistan.