More Than 51,000 Pakistanis Repatriated from Abroad Over the Past 11 Months on Begging Charges

More than 51,000 Pakistanis have been repatriated to their home country this year from different countries around the world on charges of begging, according to Pakistan’s central investigation agency, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The information was shared by the Director General of the agency with the Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Rights of Pakistan’s National Assembly.

According to data provided by the FIA, Saudi Arabia has repatriated the highest number of Pakistanis on charges of begging. Nearly 24,000 Pakistanis were sent back from the country this year. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks second, from where approximately 6,000 Pakistanis have been repatriated. Azerbaijan, which ranks third, took punitive action against nearly 2,500 Pakistanis on allegations of begging.

The FIA Director General stated that many Pakistanis travel to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of performing Umrah and then attempt to illegally enter Europe from there. During such attempts, they are detained by the concerned countries and sent back to Pakistan. He also remarked that the issue is a matter of concern for Pakistan’s image on the international stage.

Highlighting another trend of illegal migration, the FIA said that this year 24,000 Pakistanis traveled to Cambodia on tourist visas, of whom nearly 12,000 have not returned to the country. Similarly, 4,000 Pakistanis traveled to Myanmar on tourist visas, among whom there is no return information for 2,500 individuals.

However, the agency claimed that due to strict monitoring and regulatory measures, the rate of illegal migration has decreased significantly in recent times. As a positive impact of this, Pakistan’s passport global ranking has improved from 118th position to currently 92nd.

According to FIA data, nearly 8,000 Pakistanis illegally entered Europe last year, while this year the number has decreased to around 4,000. As a result, although progress has been made in reducing illegal migration, social crises such as begging still remain a major challenge.