Rise in Begging Activity as Ramzan Approaches

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: Ahead of the holy month of Ramzan ul Mubarrak, there has been a noticeable surge in professional beggars infiltrating markets.

This issue has become particularly pronounced this season. Among these beggars, eunuchs have become a common sight, soliciting alms across different parts of the city.

However, local authorities seem to be passive observers, not taking significant action against this growing problem.

The streets and bustling roads of Rawalpindi are now filled with persistent begging, with children, women, and the elderly employing various tactics to garner sympathy and donations from the public.

These individuals often resort to tactics like offering to clean vehicle windows at traffic stops, indicating possible coordination with what is sometimes referred to as the ‘beggar mafia’.

Local residents have expressed their disappointment, noting that the widespread begging tarnishes the reputation of a society known for its civility and order.

Criticism has been particularly aimed at the Child Protection Bureau, which, despite its responsibility to protect children’s rights, appears to overlook the exploitation of young beggars.

Despite previous attempts by the police and other authorities to tackle professional begging through targeted campaigns, these efforts have largely been ineffective in providing lasting solutions or significantly reducing the practice.

The recurrence of such campaigns, including those led by the City Traffic Police, highlights the difficulty of eliminating professional begging from the streets of Rawalpindi. This underscores the need for more effective strategies and a concerted societal effort to address this deeply entrenched issue.