Twin Cities Plagued By Professional Beggars Witness Declining Trend

ISLAMABAD: “Due to strong actions and measures made by concerned authorities against professional and other beggars, the begging trend has roughly decreased in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The aim is to encourage the beggars to earn money through various forms of labour and assiduous effort, and to curb the beggary trend among them,” according to an official in the Ministry of Interior.

He stated that following the completion of the investigation process, a total of 35 cases were filed against 67 beggars/accused individuals during the month of October 2022 and sent to the concerned Court of competent jurisdiction for trial proceedings.

Refuting claims, he said that no police officer or official has been discovered to be supporting professional beggary in the twin cities

According to Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), an estimated 2.5 to 11 per cent of Pakistan’s population, or five to twenty-five million beggars, are found; and 1.2 million kids are thought to have been living on the streets of the nation’s urban cities.

The government is making every effort to reduce poverty and inflation while also giving people from all societal segments similar employment possibilities.

Despite of decline in beggary, professional beggars are found in Rawalpindi at Saddar, Committee, Mureed and Chadni Chowks, Sixth Road, Pindora Chongi, Faizabad, Dhoak Kala Khan and other places; while in Islamabad beggars are found at Aabpara, Melody Market, G-7, G-8, H-9 and other sectors.

Professional beggars cry crocodile tears to win the sympathy of the public and receive charity. Begging is a booming industry in our country, and it affects people of all ages and genders, including women carrying children and young men attempting to persuade by faking ailments.APP