KARACHI – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested five passengers who were traveling to Saudi Arabia for begging under the guise of Umrah pilgrims from Karachi airport.
An FIA spokesperson said eight passengers were arrested in two separate operations for traveling on fake documents and for begging.
He stated that in the first operation, five passengers traveling to Saudi Arabia under the guise of Umrah were apprehended.
The spokesperson said these individuals were going to Saudi Arabia to beg, adding that they have been transferred to the Anti-Human Smuggling Circle in Karachi for further legal action.
In the second operation, three passengers traveling on fake documents were arrested; they were heading to Azerbaijan on student visas.
They have also been moved to the Anti-Human Smuggling Circle in Karachi for further legal proceedings.
Last month, Saudi government had asked Pakistan to take an action against individuals who travel to Makkah to beg under the guise of Umrah pilgrims.
It warned that inaction against them could create trouble for legitimate Umrah pilgrims of Pakistan.
