Sargodha: A haven for beggars

SARGODHA: Professional begging is gaining momentum and going unchecked in different areas across Sargodha, especially marketplaces and traffic signals. In recent years, the city has virtually become a breeding ground for trained beggars of all ages. They roam the streets with fake medical prescriptions, asking for alms, majority of who tell lies to win public sympathy.

A visit to different areas by Express News showed that many beggars ask for medical treatment and food, while some completely dupe citizens.



Clad in rags, these beggars convince people to give them money. The trend is ultimately promoting begging in the city. During the survey, it was discovered that those involved in begging have adopted this profession to make a quick buck.

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

The irony is that children are also being exploited for this purpose.

A resident of the city, Ayub Malik said, “Begging has become a menace and it should be controlled. The district administration should take measures to end this practice and take legal action against those involved.”

Another resident Sabtain Ali, told Express News that these beggars are professionally trained. He added, “The government should take stern action against those people who hire and train them.”

Similarly, Fauzia Saleem, a resident of Kot Momin said, “We should discourage begging.  Beggars can be found in each and every corner around the city.”

She urged authorities to chalk out a permanent solution.

Although, the administration is responsible for the increasing number of beggars, neither the authorities nor the police have chalked out a strategy to deal with the situation. Most beggars often claim that circumstances have forced them into beggary as they have lost their parents and have no alternate source of income.



When contacted, Sargodha Mayor Aslam Naveed told Express News that professional beggars are a nuisance for society and they should be condemned at every forum.

He added, “There are laws in place for taking action against beggars. It has been decided that an operation will be launched against them in coordination with law enforcement agencies.” The mayor hoped that the city will be rid of professional beggars in the foreseeable future.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2018.