13 child beggars taken off the streets

RAWALPINDI: In an operation against young beggars in different parts of the city, 13 child alms seekers were sent to the Child Protection Welfare Bureau.

Later, they were presented before the court of Additional District and Session Judge, Ashfaq Ahmed who handed five of them over to their parents while eight were given in the custody of the bureau.

During proceedings, the court expressed its displeasure over the parents of the beggars and asked why they had sent their children to beg on the roads.

The court warned the parents that begging was unlawful and that next time, if their children are found begging on the streets, they will not be spared and strict action will be taken against them.

In this regard, the court stated that the father of the child beggar will be sent to jail.  Addressing the parents, the court expressed that they were healthy enough to raise their own children themselves and ordered them to send their children to school.

The court further had the parents take an oath that they would never send their children to beg again.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2019.