In response to mounting complaints from foreign countries, the Pakistani government has decided to criminalize begging by amending the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018. The Interior Ministry has introduced the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes to include “organized beggary” under Section 3 of the existing law.
The proposed amendment comes after multiple countries, particularly those in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Iraq, and Malaysia, raised concerns through Pakistan’s diplomatic missions about Pakistani citizens engaging in begging during religious pilgrimages, such as Hajj and Umrah.
According to the amendment draft, diplomatic missions had urged the government to take strong measures against individuals involved in begging and the organized networks behind these activities. The draft highlights that agents and gangs involved in beggary often evade prosecution since begging is not criminalized under current laws enforced by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The proposed amendments aim to make beggary a punishable crime and expand the definition of “organized beggary.” This includes actions where a person entices, coerces, or forces another to solicit or receive alms, either directly or indirectly, by deceit, fraud, or even under false pretenses, such as performing tricks or fortune-telling in public places. It also covers individuals who solicit alms by forcefully cleaning vehicle windscreens or knocking on car windows at traffic signals.
Furthermore, the amendments state that individuals who have no visible means of income and who wander in public places, raising suspicions of soliciting alms, will also fall under the scope of organized beggary. The law also covers those who exhibit injuries, deformities, or diseases in an attempt to solicit alms, as well as those who allow themselves to be used for such purposes.
The growing issue of begging has also been addressed in connection with Saudi Arabia’s request for Pakistan not to send beggars, sick individuals, or those without skills for employment. In response to this demand, in November 2024, the Pakistani government added the names of 4,300 beggars to the Exit Control List (ECL) after a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al Maliki.
In recent weeks, numerous Pakistanis have been deported from Gulf countries for issues ranging from illegal documentation and lack of travel funds to involvement in criminal activities and begging. This includes several beggars who were deported from Saudi Arabia, and one was arrested for passport forgery after being placed on the stop list.
In an effort to address human smuggling concerns, the Pakistani government has also imposed stricter screening measures at airports. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has directed immigration officers to be extra vigilant when processing passengers, especially first-time travelers aged 15-40, to ensure that they meet all requirements. Special attention is given to travelers from countries including Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and several others. The FIA has also introduced enhanced profiling of passengers, including scrutiny of return tickets, hotel bookings, and financial arrangements, particularly for those traveling from regions known for high incidences of human smuggling.
