Pakistan Adds 4,300 Beggars to ECL, Strengthens Ties with Saudi Arabia

Pakistan has added 4,300 beggars to the Exit Control List (ECL) in a crackdown on the mafia sending them to Saudi Arabia. During a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Interior Minister, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi discussed bilateral issues, including joint police training and mutual cooperation. They also agreed to take steps towards making Islamabad and Riyadh sister cities.

Naqvi emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards beggars traveling to Saudi Arabia and announced that legal proceedings for the repatriation of 419 Pakistani prisoners from Saudi Arabia would be completed soon. He also mentioned that Saudi citizens can visit Pakistan without a visa.