The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has issued a stern warning to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs as the rising tide of Pakistani beggars entering the kingdom under Umrah visas is causing grave concerns that could mar the experience of genuine Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
The Saudi authorities have recently seen a massive influx of Pakistani nationals arriving in Saudi Arabia with religious pilgrimage visas that ultimately turn out to be begging visas. The Saudi government has warned that this situation defaces not only the reputation of Pakistani pilgrims but also threatens the sanctity of the holy pilgrimage itself.
In the context of these issues, the Pakistani Ministry of Religious Affairs announced a draft “Umrah Act.” The bill will regulate travel agencies dealing with Umrah and make sure such agencies will act within legal systems rather than being arbitrary. It’s actually a way for the ministry to bring the whole pilgrimage system under proper legal oversight to avoid misuse by different travel agencies.
The ministry is coordinating with the government of Pakistan to develop strategies that would practically put a check on the flow of beggars to Saudi Arabia, otherwise disguising themselves as religious pilgrims. This all-inclusive strategy will take care of the interests of the genuine pilgrims and will keep Pakistan’s international reputation in good health.
Earlier, discussions between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed Al-Malki drew the seriousness of the matter. Minister Naqvi reassured the ambassador that the government of Pakistan would take vigorous measures against the mafias working to facilitate the transit of beggars to Saudi Arabia.
To execute these promises, the Federal Investigation Agency has been assigned the responsibility of dismantling the syndicates that manage this scourge. Minister Naqvi emphasized especially how dreadful these activities are, which handicaps Pakistan’s international reputation. The FIA has acted proactively already; just last month, officials seized and off-loaded eleven suspected beggars from a flight flying out for Saudi Arabia at Karachi airport. Upon interrogation, they allegedly claimed they had plans to begin the kingdom.
The Gulf region’s woes regarding Pakistani workers were brought to light when Dr. Arshad Mahmood, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, briefed the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis recently. He said that several countries of the Gulf region have started raising concerns seriously over the behavior of overseas Pakistanis about work ethics and attitudes and involvement in illicit activities, etc. These have been affecting the credibility of Pakistani workers in the exterior world as well, bringing more severe pressure from employers and governments in the Gulf.
The introduction of the “Umrah Act” as well as an eradication process for mafias falls within a larger scheme, aimed towards the increase of the integrity of religious pilgrimage programs in Pakistan, ensuring that they lead to the objective. Such measures aimed at alleviating concerns over the general perception of Pakistani pilgrims, which would renew the confidence of Saudi authorities in visitors coming from Pakistan.
As the situation comes out, it will be very important for the Pakistani government to take decisive and effective action in that regard. In this way, it would save the interest of actual pilgrims, while its international standing is not compromised on the other hand. Due to the ineffectiveness of the administration, the reputation of the nation might be at stake while a lack of proper measures could put the pilgrimage and Pakistan-Saudi relations at risk.
In the ultimate analysis, as both countries begin their journey towards tackling such issues, Pakistan must remain united to fight for the sanctity of its religious affairs as much as the dignity of the citizens abroad. In the very long run, the efforts by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the FIA will eventually mold the future of religious tourism as well as the image of a Pakistani national in Saudi Arabia and other countries.
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