Pakistan assures Saudi Arabia of action against begging mafia

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday assured Saudi Arabia of taking action against the professional begging mafia travelling to the kingdom, ARY News reported.

This assurance was given by Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s envoy Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Malki in Islamabad.

During the meeting, Mohsin Naqvi and Nawaf bin Saeed discussed matters of mutual interest and ways to strengthen relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Mohsin Naqvi stressed that Saudi Arabia has immense respect and significance for Pakistan and has always supported Pakistan in difficult times.

Naqvi reiterated that a crackdown would be carried out on the professional beggars going to Saudi Arabia and the mafias responsible for sending them, noting that these mafias are damaging the country’s image internationally.

Read more: FIA arrests four agents who sent citizens abroad to beg

The minister said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been directed to take strict action across Pakistan against the mafia involved in these illegal activities.

On this occasion, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador expressed that Saudi Arabia considers the relationship with Pakistan as one of brotherhood.

Earlier on July 21, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted operations in different areas of Multan and arrested four travel agents involved in sending citizens to Saudi Arabia for begging.

According to an FIA spokesperson, the arrested officers have been identified as Sadiq Hussain, Mohammad Ejaz, Ghulam and Ghulam Yaseen.