Pakistan has faced yet another international embarrassment, as its citizens continue to travel abroad for begging, drawing attention to chronic governance and socio-economic issues within the country. The government, already grappling with mounting debt, has now implemented strict measures to curb this growing concern. On 22 December 2025, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that professional beggars and citizens travelling with incomplete documents will be banned from travelling abroad. The move is aimed at protecting the nation’s dignity and curbing activities that tarnish Pakistan’s image on the global stage.

The issue is not new. Last year, Pakistan had imposed a seven-year ban on passports of 2,000 beggars who travelled to countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia under the pretext of performing religious duties but failed to return. Reports indicate that 90% of beggars arrested abroad in 2024 were Pakistani nationals, highlighting a persistent problem of citizens exploiting foreign travel opportunities for begging rather than genuine purposes.

According to Geo News, thousands of Pakistanis were deported from multiple countries due to begging, while 66,154 passengers were offloaded in 2025 following stricter checks at airports. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the National Assembly Standing Committee that over 52,000 Pakistanis were expelled from 41 countries in the past eleven months, and 155 Pakistanis faced daily deportation from various countries throughout the year.

Saudi Arabia emerged as the most preferred destination for Pakistani beggars, with 24,000 deportations reported. With 1 Saudi Riyal equalling 74 Pakistani Rupees, the lucrative potential of begging abroad is clear. UAE deported 6,000 Pakistanis, while Azerbaijan expelled around 2,500 individuals for similar reasons. Other countries have also intercepted Pakistani citizens attempting to travel under the guise of religious pilgrimages, such as Umrah, but were denied entry after scrutiny by immigration authorities.

A 2018 report by the Centre for Business and Society in Pakistan described begging as a lucrative profession, often yielding higher earnings than unskilled labour with less effort. This socio-economic factor, combined with weak regulatory oversight in earlier years, contributed to the surge in overseas begging. Many Pakistanis took advantage of lax border controls and incomplete documentation to travel abroad, exacerbating the nation’s negative image internationally.

The FIA Director General, Riffat Mukhtar Raja, stated that stricter travel controls have raised Pakistan’s passport ranking from 118 to 92, improving its global standing. The agency also reported a significant reduction in illegal migration to Europe, with 4,000 Pakistanis travelling illegally in 2025, compared to 8,000 the previous year. The FIA emphasized that initiatives like visa-free travel agreements with Dubai and Germany and the upcoming e-immigration application launching by mid-January are key steps in managing migration and controlling the movement of citizens abroad.

The report also highlighted alarming cases of citizens who never returned. 12,000 Pakistanis travelling to Cambodia and 2,500 on tourist visas in Myanmar failed to come back, further complicating the country’s international travel monitoring. These incidents reflect the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistani authorities in tracking and regulating citizen mobility abroad.

Pakistan’s decision to ban beggars and enforce stricter passport and travel regulations signals a strong stance against activities that damage national reputation. With Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Azerbaijan leading deportations, the new rules aim to prevent further embarrassment on the global stage. The move also underscores the government’s intent to maintain control over legal documentation and curb illegal migration, emphasizing national dignity and international accountability.

In conclusion, Pakistan’s ban on professional beggars travelling abroad comes amid growing international scrutiny and rising deportations. By addressing the issue head-on through stringent travel policies, enhanced passport controls, and planned technological solutions like the e-immigration application, Pakistan aims to curb illegal migration, restore its international image, and prevent the recurrence of such embarrassments in the future. The emphasis on strict enforcement signals a new era of accountability, while also addressing the socio-economic factors that drive citizens to seek livelihoods abroad through begging.

Join our Telegram Channel for Latest News and Regular Updates.

Start your Mutual Fund Journey  by Opening Free Account in Asset Plus.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.