RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: The Saudi government have banned the country’s men from marrying women from Pakistan and three other counties, in a move apparently aimed at discouraging Saudi men from marrying foreigners.
There are about 500,000 women from these four countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Chad and Myanmar currently residing in the kingdom, according to unofficial figures.
The Makkah Police Director Major General Assaf Al-Qurashi said that those Saudi men wanting to marry foreign women now should first obtain the consent of the government and submit marriage applications through official channels.
Qurashi said that applicants should be over 25 and attach identification documents signed by the local district mayor as well as all other identity papers, including a copy of his family card.
“If the applicant is already married, he should attach a report from a hospital proving that his wife is either disabled, suffering from a chronic disease or is sterile,” he said.
Qurashi said that divorced men would not be allowed to apply within six months of their divorce.
