Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have ramped up efforts to combat organized begging and criminal activity linked to Pakistani nationals, with Saudi authorities deporting 24,000 Pakistani beggars this year alone. Meanwhile, the UAE has imposed visa restrictions on most Pakistani citizens, citing concerns over criminal involvement among some travelers.

This move comes as both countries strengthen scrutiny on Pakistani nationals amid growing reports of organized begging networks and illegal migration. According to data from Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), a total of 66,154 passengers were offloaded at airports in 2025 as part of efforts to dismantle these networks.

FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar emphasized that the activity is damaging Pakistan's international reputation. "These networks are not confined to the Gulf," he said, noting similar incidents have been detected involving travel to Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with some individuals misusing tourist visas to countries like Cambodia and Thailand.

In addition to the mass deportations in Saudi Arabia, which accounted for 24,000 individuals, Dubai deported around 6,000, and Azerbaijan sent back approximately 2,500 Pakistani beggars. Saudi authorities had previously raised alarms over the misuse of Umrah visas, urging Pakistan to prevent beggars from exploiting these travel permits to seek alms in Mecca and Medina.

Legal experts, such as attorney Rafia Zakaria, have pointed out that begging is a well-organized industry in Pakistan, expanding its reach to other countries. "This is no longer an act of desperation but a highly structured enterprise," she wrote in Dawn.

Pakistan's government has also echoed these concerns. In 2024, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis Zeeshan Khanzada revealed that a significant portion of detained beggars in West Asian countries—around 90%—were Pakistani nationals, underlining the scale of the problem.

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced the opening of SEVEN Tabuk, expanding its entertainment network and supporting the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and regional development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah Al Dawood said the opening represents another step in the company’s strategy to develop accessible entertainment destinations that are closely connected to the communities they serve.

SEVEN Tabuk is the company’s second entertainment destination, following SEVEN Abha, as SEVEN continues its plans to establish destinations across Saudi Arabia.

Located within Tabuk city, the fully indoor, all-weather destination is designed for everyday entertainment, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities without requiring long-distance travel.

The destination operates from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends and from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, while Scene Cinemas operates daily from 4:00 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

SEVEN Tabuk combines international attractions with locally developed concepts. Key offerings include Discovery Adventures, featuring immersive exploration-themed environments, and Hot Wheels E-Karting, an interactive karting experience inspired by the global brand.

The destination also features SEVEN’s homegrown concepts, including Kawaken, Kawaken Junior, GolFi, Cyber Bowling and Scene Cinemas, providing entertainment options for families, young people and a broad range of visitors.

Beyond entertainment, SEVEN Tabuk is expected to contribute to the city’s wider development by supporting local employment and strengthening partnerships with local businesses.

The opening further reinforces Tabuk’s position as an emerging leisure destination in northern Saudi Arabia while expanding access to entertainment experiences across the Kingdom.

Source: SPA

Green spaces and public parks across Makkah are playing an important role in improving the city’s urban environment and creating more comfortable spaces for residents, visitors and pilgrims.

The city has 290 public parks, many of which feature landscaped green areas, safe pedestrian walkways, sports facilities, courtyards, shaded seating areas, service amenities and playgrounds.

These spaces help provide shade, reduce heat absorption from urban surfaces and offer areas for movement, recreation and rest.

The development and maintenance of parks are particularly important in Makkah, which welcomes millions of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors throughout the year.

Expanding landscaping, shaded areas and open pedestrian spaces forms part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrim experience by creating a more comfortable and accessible urban environment.

The parks also complement Makkah’s wider network of services and facilities, supporting the city’s efforts to enhance quality of life while accommodating the needs of its residents and millions of visitors.

Source: SPA

Irqah Village, one of the oldest settlements in Riyadh Region, is showcasing more than 1,000 years of history through its traditional architecture, heritage sites and cultural experiences.

Once a thriving agricultural center, the village developed around mud-brick homes, historic mosques, farms and water sources, creating a distinctive architectural and social identity.

At the heart of the historic village, Bayt Isa recreates aspects of traditional Najdi life through its majlis, cafés, heritage pathways, courtyards and rooftops. The heritage house offers visitors an immersive experience reflecting the architectural style and social traditions of the Najdi environment.

Handicrafts further enrich the experience, with workshops helping revive traditional skills passed down through generations. Local outlets also provide artisans with opportunities to display and sell their work, linking cultural heritage with its social and economic roots.

Since opening, Irqah Village has welcomed more than 15,000 visitors, supported over 50 cottage-industry families and hosted filming by more than 20 production companies.

The village has also generated more than three million digital views and interactions, highlighting its growing popularity and the potential of its heritage spaces for tourism, culture and creative activities.

Source: SPA