Editorial

Shackling begging rings

The fasting month of Ramazan attracts both seasonal and professional beggars to Karachi and smaller urban centres.

Editorial June 20, 2017

Authorities in Sindh are making what is probably the first serious attempt to collect information about beggars operating in Karachi and other major cities of the province. Ordered by the provincial social welfare ministry, the survey is aimed at helping the authorities sift the genuinely needy from the charlatans as well as punish those who are running begging rings. This will pose a stiff challenge of course but what about the many thousands of enslaved women and children who are forced into the racket by organised crime syndicates. With the help of law-enforcement personnel, the ministry must smash these rings and make all possible efforts to free those coerced into involuntary begging. As such these individuals should not be treated as abettors or partners of these syndicates. They are merely exploited victims who need to be rehabilitated back into society and taught new skills for their future livelihood.

At least 110 ‘professional’ beggars, handlers arrested in Islamabad

The campaign is being launched at an opportune time: the fasting month of Ramazan attracts both seasonal and professional beggars to Karachi and smaller urban centres. Since the influx of beggars on overcrowded sidewalks, streets and stoplights poses new risks to public safety and hygiene, the ministry is planning to accommodate them in special purpose-built shelters in cities like Karachi. If left unchecked, however, there is a real danger of the beggars carrying on their operations from their temporary abodes. It is important to regulate these shelters as well.

One of the bigger headaches in overcoming the menace of begging in Ramazan and other months is the hidden collaboration of officials. Without patronage and extortion, it is impossible to run begging rings anywhere in the country. The ministry will have to closely investigate the role of the collaborators and put an immediate end to their business of extortion that perpetuates the existence of exploitative beggarisation. Maybe then our charity will be better directed and serve the needy more.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2017.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

COMMENTS (1)

Toti Calling | 7 years ago | Reply People who beg are poor and do begging to make both ends meet. I agree begging rings which aim at exporting people should be stopped, but begging can only be reduced if an alternative is offered to poor people. We need organisations which provide people clothes (even used ones) and food on regular basis. Anybody taking advantage of such facilities should be registered. This will stop the rings and exploitation of those living under the poverty line.

Replying to X