Pakistan unveils list of approved travel agents to prevent Umrah scam

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued a list of 37 verified Umrah tour operators to protect the public from fraudulent schemes.

According to a ministry spokesperson, the verified operators are based in various cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi, ensuring that Umrah pilgrims receive reliable services and avoid potential difficulties.

To further safeguard pilgrims from fraud and financial losses, the ministry has published the details of these operators on its official website.

This list was released by the Umrah section of the ministry after a thorough investigation and verification process to ensure the operators meet required standards.

On Tuesday it emeged that Saudi Arabia has reportedly issued a strong warning to Pakistan regarding the increasing number of beggars entering the kingdom on Umrah visas.

According to media reports, Pakistani authorities have been asked to implement preventive measures to bar beggars from entering KSA.

The Saudi authorities reportedly warned that if the issue is not effectively controlled, it could have serious repercussions for Pakistani pilgrims performing Umrah and Hajj.

In response to this, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has decided to introduce an "Umrah Act."