• Emergency passports issued for deportation to Pakistan.
• Deportees to face legal action upon repatriation.
• 8 individuals are from Punjab, and the rest are from KP.

KARACHI: Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested 10 Pakistani nationals, including five women, for begging in various operations across the country.

UAE police have recently issued a warning to residents to refrain from giving money to beggars roaming near streets, mosques, and public places.

Meanwhile, the Guld nation’s officials have informed Pakistani authorities of the arrests.

Sources in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said that three women from Vehari district in Punjab — Amna Bibi, Kausar Bibi, and Farzana Bibi — along with Jameela Bibi and Zubaida Bibi from Lahore, were detained while begging and have been sent to jail. They are currently being prepared for deportation to Pakistan.

Officials added that in similar operations, five Pakistani men were also arrested for begging: Muhammad Zakariya from Dera Ghazi Khan, Waseem Haider from Bahawalnagar, Muhammad Usman from Lahore, Ijaz Khan from Charsadda, and Abdullah from Peshawar.

Emergency passports have been issued for their repatriation to Pakistan. Upon arrival, they will be taken into custody and face legal action.

Earlier this month, a total of 52,520 Pakistani nationals were barred from travelling abroad due to concerns related to illegal migration, deportation, and criminal activities. 

The restrictions have been applied to individuals previously deported from the United States, European nations, and Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

According to deportation figures and banned categories, 4,210 beggars have been deported from Saudi Arabia, with 1,546 deportees placed under travel bans across different zones. 

As many as 331 beggars deported from various countries have also been restricted from international travel.

While, 46,433 individuals, who previously served sentences in UAE prisons, have been prohibited from travelling abroad due to security concerns.