'Pakistani beggars deported even from poor country like Ethiopia,' reveals FIA official

In an effort to prevent beggars from traveling outside the country, over 7,000 Pakistanis have been offloaded from airports nationwide since January 1, 2025. An  Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official also revealed that Pakistani beggars have even been deported from an impoverished country like Ethiopia.

The FIA offloaded over 300 individuals from Karachi and Lahore airports, as they were allegedly traveling abroad for begging.

In an interview with the Independent Urdu, former FIA official Ghulam Mustafa Bajwa stated that most beggars target countries with “easy access for Pakistanis,” such as those in the Middle East and Russian states, as well as countries with religious sites.

“It was an extremely shameful moment for our ambassador when Pakistanis were deported from Ethiopia after being caught begging,” Bajwa remarked.

Read: 173 more Pakistanis deported from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and other countries

According to Mustafa Bajwa: “A few years ago, we received a call from the Pakistani consulate in Ethiopia, informing us that dozens of Pakistanis had been arrested there for begging. They were being deported to Pakistan, and we detained them at the airport upon arrival.”

“At that time, we felt deeply embarrassed that Pakistanis were caught begging in such a poor country."

“Most professional beggars come from disadvantaged areas and prefer destinations like Saudi Arabia, Dubai, or Qatar,” Independent Urdu quoted the chairman travel agency association Pakistan, Agha Tariq Siraj as saying.

Siraj believed that these people causing disrepute to country's image,  adding that his association is taking strict measures to prevent them from obtaining visas and tickets.

Read: India to bring back 18,000 immigrants as Trump threatens mass deportation

Recounting his experience while in service, Ghulam Mustafa said that they were working under an organised group, and they selected the countries in accordance with their currency value, and “they beg both inside and outside the country. When the local currency weakens, they move to foreign countries.” 

“They travel in the form of groups under the supervision of group leaders. Initially, they obtain work or visit visas, and later attempt to settle in Saudi Arabia and other countries,” he added. 

According to FIA reports, a substantial number of Pakistani nationals are being deported from several countries following arrests due to begging.