30 beggars sent behind bars

FAISALABAD: The teams of Social Welfare Department (SWD) rounded up 30 beggars from different markets of the city during anti-beggary campaign in Faisalabad on Thursday.

A spokesperson of the SWD said the arrested beggars included 16 males, 12 females and two children whereas cases have also been registered against seven habitual beggars.

He added the drive would continue during Ramazan to eradicate the evil practice. He maintained the district administration will take strict action against those using beggary as a profession.



Earlier in April, as part of a crackdown against professional alms-seekers and their handlers, police arrested as many as 46 beggars from different parts of the capital, an official said on Monday.

According to a police spokesperson, Islamabad Police has launched a special campaign under orders from Islamabad SSP Sajid Kiani to curb begging. During the campaign, 46 alms-seekers, including women and children, were arrested. SSP Kiani directed to shift such beggars to the shelter home and protection centres after due verification so that they can be properly looked after.

Specials squads have been formed by Kiani to curb the practice of begging in the capital. The SSP has said the campaign against professional alm-seekers would continue and strict action would be taken against those who force children and women into this business.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2017.