Khawaja Asif blames begging mafia for Gulf countries' visa ban on Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has described begging in Pakistan as a structured business and a fully professional enterprise, warning of its social and economic implications.

In a statement on social media platform X, Khawaja Asif said that contractors of this business earn millions by exploiting children, women, and people posing as disabled.

He added that this mafia even “exports” beggars to Gulf countries, a practice that has prompted some countries to suspend Pakistani visas.

The minister further alleged that staff at airports and various government departments are complicit in this lucrative operation.

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Highlighting the situation in Sialkot, he said most beggars there come from southern Punjab and stay in hotels while soliciting alms.

Although police and administrative action has reduced the scale of the problem, their presence is still noticeable.

Khawaja Asif claimed that apparently affluent contractors act as patrons for beggars, and this business thrives only with the tacit support of local authorities and police