Names of 4,300 “beggars” added in ECL, Interior Minister tells Saudi counterpart

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Nasser bin Abdulaziz, here today. The agenda of the meeting included promotion of Pak-Saudi relations, mutual exchanges of paramilitary forces, police and joint training issues, and other matters of mutual interest.

One significant outcome of the meeting was the proposal by Naqvi to declare Islamabad and Riyadh as ‘twin cities’. The Saudi delegate agreed the proposal.

The two leaders also discussed crackdown on the mafia that sends beggars from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia. Naqvi informed that names of 4,300 beggars have been added to the exit control list (ECL).

Both countries also agreed to implement the prisoner exchange agreement. Legal proceedings for the return of 419 Pakistani prisoners will be completed soon.

Speaking on the bilateral cooperation, Naqvi said that Pakistan will provide all possible cooperation to Saudi Arabia. “A zero-tolerance policy has been adopted against beggars,” Interior Minister said.

Naqvi said that the Saudi citizens do not need a visa to come to Pakistan. He also praised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030.

Saudi Deputy Interior Minister reiterated the significance of the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He said that Saudi Arabia wants to further promote relations with Pakistan. “We are ready for exchanges and joint training of paramilitary forces and police,” the Saudi minister said.

Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Maliki also attended the meeting.

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