Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested 10 Pakistani nationals, including five women, in a crackdown on begging across the country.
UAE police recently issued warnings urging residents not to give money to beggars near streets, mosques, and public areas. Following the arrests, Emirati officials informed Pakistani authorities of the detentions.
According to sources in Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), three women from Punjab’s Vehari district—Amna Bibi, Kausar Bibi, and Farzana Bibi—along with Jameela Bibi and Zubaida Bibi from Lahore, were caught begging and have been sent to jail. Authorities are now preparing their deportation to Pakistan.
Similarly, five Pakistani men were detained for begging: Muhammad Zakariya from Dera Ghazi Khan, Waseem Haider from Bahawalnagar, Muhammad Usman from Lahore, Ijaz Khan from Charsadda, and Abdullah from Peshawar. Emergency passports have been issued for their repatriation, after which they will be taken into custody and face legal action in Pakistan.
Earlier this month, Pakistani authorities barred 52,520 nationals from traveling abroad due to concerns over illegal migration, deportation records, and criminal activities. The travel restrictions apply to individuals previously deported from the United States, Europe, and Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Deportation figures reveal that 4,210 Pakistani beggars were expelled from Saudi Arabia, with 1,546 of them placed under travel bans. Additionally, 331 beggars deported from other nations have also been prohibited from traveling internationally.
Moreover, 46,433 individuals who have served prison sentences in the UAE remain banned from leaving Pakistan due to security concerns.
