UAE authorities arrest ten Pakistani nationals for begging, including five women

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) informed the Pakistani government that at least ten Pakistani nationals, including five women, were recently arrested for begging in the country.

According to sources in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), three women, incuding Amna Bibi, Kausar Bibi, and Farzana Bibi, residents of Punjab’s Vehari district, along with Jamila Bibi and Zubaida Bibi from Lahore, were detained during various anti-begging operations in the UAE.

The arrested individuals were sent to jail, and preparations are underway for their deportation to Pakistan.

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Officials further revealed that, in similar operations, five Pakistani men were also arrested while begging. They were identified as Muhammad Zakaria from Dera Ghazi Khan, Wasim Haider from Bahawalnagar, Muhammad Usman from Lahore, Ijaz Khan from Charsadda, and Abdullah from Peshawar.

Authorities are in the process of issuing emergency passports for their deportation. Upon arrival in Pakistan, they will be taken into custody, and legal action will be initiated against them.

The UAE has intensified its crackdown on begging, particularly during Ramadan. In a recent case, a beggar was found to have accumulated Dh14,000 within just three days of soliciting alms on the streets, shocking law enforcement officials.

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Dubai Police reported on Friday that 127 beggars had been arrested in the first 15 days of Ramadan, with authorities recovering over Dh50,000 from them.

Similarly, Sharjah Police detained 107 beggars and seized more than Dh50,000, highlighting the extent to which organised begging networks are exploiting such practices for financial gain.