In response to growing Saudi Arabian complaints over Pakistani nationals using religious pilgrimages as a cover for begging, the Pakistani government has put new rules for Umrah pilgrims into effect.
The Pakistani government has started asking all candidates for an Umrah visa to sign a written pledge pledging not to beg while in Saudi Arabia, according to a Middle East Monitor report.
The undertaking makes it very clear that begging is illegal in Saudi Arabia and that anyone caught breaking the pledge will be prosecuted when they return to Pakistan. Additionally, anyone found begging in Saudi Arabia while traveling with an Umrah visa will be placed on a blacklist.
The goal of this action is to stop the increasing issue of Pakistani pilgrims begging while traveling for religious purposes.
