Pakistan has added the names of 4,300 beggars to its Exit Control List (ECL) following growing concerns over the increasing number of Pakistani beggars going in Saudi Arabia. In response to a growing issue, the ministers also discussed the crackdown on the mafia involved in sending beggars from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia. Naqvi confirmed that 4,300 beggars’ names had been added to the ECL, emphasising a "zero-tolerance" policy against such practices. He further highlighted Saudi Arabia as Pakistan’s "brotherly Islamic country" and pledged continued cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties. This development follows recent concerns raised by Saudi Arabia over the growing number of Pakistani beggars entering the kingdom on Hajj and Umrah visas.

Source: The Express Tribune November 21, 2024 16:04 UTC