The federal government announced on Sunday that it plans to freeze the passports of more than 2,000 individuals caught begging abroad.
Authorities have asked the Ministry of External Affairs for detailed information on these individuals, with lists compiled from Pakistani missions around the world.
According to official sources, the passports of those involved in begging overseas will be invalid for seven years.
Government officials highlighted the reason behind the strict measure, stressing that the act of begging in foreign countries not only reflects poorly on Pakistan but also violates the dignity of its citizens.
“Beggars traveling abroad bring shame to the nation,” the spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Interior emphasized the need for decisive action.
In addition, the government has decided to block the passports of agents involved in facilitating begging in foreign countries.
It has come to light that a significant number of beggars travel to countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq under the guise of pilgrimage or Umrah, where they then resort to begging.
Efforts are underway to formulate a coordinated policy of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that would comprehensively address this issue.
Collecting data on individuals involved in begging abroad is a crucial first step towards implementing effective measures.
