Scourge of beggary hits Rahim Yar Khan

Residents demand stern action against the beggars

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Professional begging is gaining momentum and going unchecked in different areas of Rahim Yar Khan, especially marketplaces and traffic signals during Ramazan. In recent years, the city has virtually become a breeding ground for especially trained beggars of all ages. They roam around the streets with fake medical prescriptions, asking for alms and most tell lies to win public sympathy.

A visit to different areas by Express News revealed that many beggars ask for treatment and food, while some fool the people in every possible manner.

Clad in rags, these beggars convince people into giving them money. The trend is ultimately promoting begging in the city. During a visit to many places, it was discovered that the beggars bring their bowls along to make a quick buck during Ramazan.

They have flocked to the city from Sindh, Balochistan, adjoining areas and villages. They function in small groups, or individually, to collect alms at different crowded places like railway and bus stations, mosques, restaurants, offices, hospitals, shops, graveyards, roadside markets and traffic signals.



Children are also being used for begging during Ramazan.

A resident of the city, Humayun Mehboob said, “Begging is a menace and it should be controlled. The district administration should take measures to end this practice and take legal action against those involved.” Arshad Shah, meanwhile, claimed the beggars are professionally trained. “The government should take stern action against those people who hire and train them for begging purposes.”

Similarly, Muneeza Badar, a resident of Rukanpur said, “Our religion discourages begging.  Beggars throng the city each year during Ramazan as people give them food and money.” She urged authorities to chalk out a permanent solution of the matter. Taking full advantage of Ramazan and Eid, many beggars have thronged the city to earn extra money.  Meanwhile, several travel to Saudia Arabia to beg alms and are also involved in other illegal activities which have damaged the reputation of the country.

The district administration conducted several drives in the past to rein in begging, but it has remained unchecked in commercial, residential, hospital and bus station areas and at different traffic signals of the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2018.