Islamabad, 22 Apr , 2025: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has raised concern over Pakistan’s growing population of Pakistani beggars, estimating their number at approximately 22 million and their collective earnings reaching Rs42 billion annually.
He warned that the rise in professional begging is damaging Pakistan’s reputation on the international stage.
Speaking at a gathering organised by the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) in Sialkot.
The minister revealed that thousands of Pakistani beggars have been deported from Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.
Without specifying a timeframe, he noted that Saudi authorities alone had expelled around 4,700 individuals involved in begging.
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Supporting his remarks, a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) report presented to a parliamentary committee last year confirmed that nearly 4,000 Pakistanis were deported by Saudi Arabia over the previous three years due to their involvement in begging.
Saudi Arabia’s strict anti-begging laws impose heavy penalties, including fines and jail terms, with foreign offenders often deported upon completion of their sentences.
An FIA official disclosed that most deportees originated from areas such as South Punjab, Karachi, and interior Sindh. Upon return, their details are added to a travel watch list to prevent further international movement.
In his address, the minister also called on local business leaders to set up a dedicated financial institution in Sialkot to promote trade and industry in the region.
He assured attendees that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet are actively working to address the concerns of the business community.
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Also present at the event, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal encouraged exporters in Sialkot to take the lead in URAAN Pakistan an ambitious national strategy aiming to elevate the country’s exports to $100 billion by 2035.
He emphasised that Pakistan must transition from low-cost textiles to premium fashion and branded clothing to compete globally, particularly in markets like Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
The session concluded with PRGMEA Chairman Ijaz Khokhar presenting a list of demands from the apparel industry to the ministers.
