Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned on Monday that Gulf nations have tightened visa rules for Pakistanis, blaming a large‑scale organised begging industry that ships children, women and people posing as disabled abroad.
Minister’s accusations
Posting on X, Asif shared a video by social worker Zafar Abbas that shows a child begging in Karachi’s Shah Faisal area. The child told the interviewer that he and his two brothers earn roughly Rs 10,000‑12,000 a week from begging and have even bought a house.
According to Asif, contractors run a “fully organised profession,” recruiting thousands of beggars and earning millions of rupees. He said these networks dispatch thousands of beggars to Gulf countries, prompting the host nations to restrict or close Pakistani visas.
The minister added that officials stationed at airports act as partners in this “disgraceful business,” profiting from the illegal departures.
Local dynamics in Sialkot
Asif highlighted Sialkot, where many beggars arrive from South Punjab, stay in hotels and operate organised begging rings. Recent police and district‑administration actions have reduced the scale, but the activity persists.
He claimed the contractors behind these rings are financially well‑off and intervene with authorities during crackdowns, seeking relief for the beggars they control.
Describing begging as the country’s “largest employment,” Asif stressed that such networks cannot function without the patronage of local administrations and police, and warned that other immoral and criminal activities are linked to the trade.
UAE response and Saudi deportations
Media reports suggested the UAE had proposed a visa ban on Pakistanis because of rising begging cases. Consulate General Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi rejected the claim, calling it “fake news” and confirming that no ban has been imposed.
In December of the previous year, FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar told parliament that 56,000 Pakistanis involved in organised begging had been deported from Saudi Arabia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Defence Minister Khawaja Asif say caused Gulf visa restrictions?
He said the restrictions were a response to organised begging networks that send thousands of Pakistani beggars abroad, prompting Gulf states to limit or close Pakistani visas.
What evidence did the minister share on social media?
He posted a video of social worker Zafar Abbas interviewing a child beggar in Karachi, who claimed he and his brothers earn around Rs 10,000‑12,000 weekly and have bought a house.
How did the UAE respond to claims of a visa ban?
The UAE Consulate General in Karachi, Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi, called the reports “fake news” and said no visa ban had been imposed by the UAE government.
What steps do you think Pakistan should take to dismantle these organised begging networks?
