Pakistan cracks down on 'organized begging networks' after Gulf nations raise concerns

The Pakistani government has decided to enact strict legislation following complaints about the increasing number of Pakistani beggars in Gulf countries. This decision comes as part of a broader initiative to address the growing international concern about organized begging networks operating out of Pakistan.

To implement these measures, the government has introduced amendments to the "Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2018" in the Senate. With the approval of the amendment bill, organized begging will be included within the scope of the law, significantly expanding its enforcement capabilities.

The urgency of this legislation is highlighted by the numerous complaints received from foreign countries, especially the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, about the presence of a large number of Pakistani beggars in recent months.

In November last year, the Saudi Deputy Interior Minister expressed particular concern about the increasing number of Pakistani beggars in Saudi Arabia, prompting immediate action from Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

In response to these international concerns, the Pakistani government has already taken preliminary steps by adding the names of 4,300 beggars to the no-fly list in recent months.

Around the same time, Iraqi authorities reported the arrival of numerous beggars posing as pilgrims. This development has led to broader regional responses, with the United Arab Emirates implementing stricter entry requirements on Pakistanis by making police verification certificates mandatory for work visas.

The scope of these new measures is detailed in the amendment bill presented by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, which stipulates that those who go abroad to beg and those who facilitate them will now fall under the purview of the Human Trafficking Act.

The legislation includes severe penalties: under the law, anyone involved in human trafficking, recruiting people, facilitating them including transport, or forcing any person into this work, whether by force or coercion, will be punished with imprisonment for 7 years and a fine of up to PKR 1 million or both.

To provide additional protection for vulnerable groups, if children and women are used in human trafficking for this purpose, the perpetrator will face an additional 10 years of imprisonment, with a minimum of 2 years, and an additional fine of PKR 1 million or both.

Definitions of trafficking and begging updated

A key aspect of the new legislation is its expanded definition of trafficking. In the amendment bill related to the prevention of human trafficking, the term "beggar" has been added to human trafficking, which defines organized begging.

To ensure comprehensive coverage, the amendment bill provides a detailed definition of what constitutes organized begging. It states that organized begging includes intentionally involving a person in fraud or receiving charity, engaging a person in begging through deception, force, enticement or pretense, and asking for or receiving charity in public places.

The definition extends to various forms of begging: fortune-telling or showmanship is considered organized begging, as is selling goods under false pretenses, knocking on vehicle windows, or forcibly cleaning vehicle windows. Furthermore, organized begging also includes entering private premises to beg or receive charity, displaying wounds, injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to receive charity or alms, and allowing oneself to be used as a spectacle.

Following standard legislative procedure, the bill was presented by the government for approval in the recent Senate session and was subsequently referred to the Standing Committee for further review and consideration.