FIA arrests 10 beggars deported from Saudi Arabia for posing as Umrah pilgrims

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration on Sunday arrested 10 individuals at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport after they were deported from Saudi Arabia for allegedly engaging in begging under the guise of performing Umrah.

According to the FIA spokesperson, the deportees include Shah Nawaz, Afsar Ali, Mujtahid Hussain, Muhammad Adil, Rahib Ali, Zamir Hussain, Wasid, Sheraz Khan, Mubeen Ali Solangi, and Khuda Bukhsh. These individuals reportedly hail from different cities across Pakistan, including Rajanpur, Kashmore, Naushahro Feroze, Lahore, Peshawar, Mohmand, and Larkana.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had traveled to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas but had been involved in begging activities for several months. Saudi authorities apprehended the suspects and deported them back to Pakistan, where they were immediately taken into custody by FIA officials.

The FIA spokesperson confirmed that the suspects have been handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for further legal action.

Authorities have expressed concerns over the misuse of religious pilgrimage visas and hinted at stricter visa regulations for Umrah travelers to curb such practices. A comprehensive policy aimed at cracking down on fraudulent activities involving religious pilgrimages is reportedly in the pipeline.