A spokesperson for the FIA said that the passengers included five men and three women who planned to beg in Saudi Arabia after arriving in the country under the guise of Umrah pilgrims.

All of the accused belonged to Lodhran city of Punjab and were traveling on Umrah visas.

During the investigations, the passengers revealed they were to be received by Pakistani agents upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. They were in agreement with the agents that half of the alms received would be handed over to the sub-agent and they were to return to Pakistan after the expiry of their visas.

Two days earlier, the FIA filed a first information report against a 16-member family including a baby that was traveling to Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa from Multan to beg.

Further investigation revealed that three agents had made arrangements for the family’s accommodation in the kingdom.