KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) apprehended four passengers at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, for their involvement in illegal begging activities in Saudi Arabia. According to an FIA spokesperson, the suspects—identified as Rasheed Ahmed, Inayat, Inayati, and Hazoor Mai—arrived in Karachi from Jeddah. The group, hailing from Multan and Lahore, had originally traveled to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas.
Upon arrival, the passengers were intercepted based on suspicious behavior. During interrogation, they confessed to traveling to the Kingdom multiple times specifically for the purpose of begging. A search of their belongings led to the recovery of a significant amount of foreign and local currency, including Saudi Riyals, UAE Dirhams, Euros, and Pakistani Rupees.
The FIA has taken all four individuals into custody, and further legal proceedings are currently underway. This crackdown is part of an ongoing effort by the authorities to curb organized begging rings that travel abroad on pilgrimage visas.
