Interior Ministry Tightens Noose Around Overseas Beggar Mafia – Data Sought From DG Immigration

ISLAMABAD – In a major move to protect Pakistan’s international image, the Command and Control Centre established under the Federal Ministry of Interior has sought complete data from the Director General Immigration and Passports against elements involved in begging abroad.

According to official sources, the purpose of the crackdown is to dismantle the organized network of the so-called “beggar mafia” and travel agents who send Pakistanis abroad on Umrah and visit visas for begging.

*Key Decisions Under The Crackdown:*

*1. Passports Blocking:* A list of over 2,000 Pakistanis who were caught begging or deported from Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and other states, is being prepared. Their passports are being blocked and cancelled.

*2. 7-Year Travel Ban:* Names of all such persons are being placed on the Passport Control List (PCL) and travel restrictions for at least 7 years are being imposed.

*3. Action Against Agents:* FIA and Passport authorities have been directed to collect data of travel agents who send these people abroad for begging on Umrah or visit visas. Direct FIRs are being registered against such agents in FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circles.

*4. Strict Screening at Airports:* On the orders of the Command and Control Centre, the process of offloading passengers with suspicious documents or incomplete travel plans has been intensified.

Sources in FIA Immigration said more than 66,000 suspicious passengers have been offloaded so far under the new screening.

Furthermore, FIA Immigration has issued Standing Order No. 07/2026, under which no passenger can now be offloaded on mere verbal orders. The Immigration Officer is bound to record a solid legal reason for stopping the passenger in the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS).

Officials say the recent visa restrictions imposed on Pakistanis by Gulf countries were largely due to this beggar mafia, and the federal government is now pursuing a zero-tolerance policy to curb the menace.