The permanent committee of the interior of the Senate has unanimously approved, the bills increase the sanctions for begging and strengthening measures against human smuggling.
The Committee, chaired by Senator Faisal Salem, reviewed and approved the prevention of smuggling of the migrant bill, presented by the Government.
During the session, Interior Secretary, Khurram Agha, highlighted the growing cases of human trafficking, emphasizing the importance of the strictest laws. He affirmed that the proposed legislation includes measures to guarantee stronger sentences and toughest punishments for criminals.
Senator Shahadat Awan supported the movement, stating that the hardest sanctions would prevent suspects from obtaining an easy bond.
Previously, the maximum prayer for human smuggling was seven years, but under the new bill, it will be extended to ten years.
The committee unanimously approved the bill.
After this, the Committee also reviewed and approved a bill that increases punishments for those involved in organized begging.
The Ministry of Law clarified that the new legislation is not only addressed to the persons who participate in begging, but also those who facilitate and force others to do so.
According to the revised law:
- The facilitators of begging and the people who force others to beg will face up to 10 years in prison.
- Smalling measures will be applied to stop organized begging networks.
The committee unanimously approved the bill, approaching it to become law.
Previously, the FIA confirmed the deportation of 10 suspects of Saudi Arabia, who had traveled to the kingdom with Umrah visas, but it was discovered that they were begging.
Pakistan is concerned that such individuals, who participate in begging abroad, are negatively affecting the experience of legitimate pilgrims who travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah or Hajj.
The reports suggest that Riad has raised the problem with Islamabad several times during the last year. In November 2023, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that a national “effective repression” was underway against Pakistani who used Umrah or Hajj visas to beg in Saudi Arabia.
