Karachi is worst affected due to street crimes and beggary due to its size
KARACHI: There are numerous factors that lead to poverty, and one of them is unemployment. However, this does not give people the licence to indulge in street crimes or begging.
Despite numerous claims by the authorities of rehabilitating people on the streets and eliminating the begging mafia, there has been little improvement. I believe Karachi is worst affected due to street crimes and beggary due to its size as well as the opportunity it gives to the people coming in from rural areas.
Many resort to begging as a profession and are able to earn handsome amounts through this. Begging has even been cursed by our religion as well. We, as citizens, have grown frustrated and irritated because these professional beggars are found everywhere in the city.
They interrupt us when we are shopping, or eating or passing by some place. There are beggars of all ages and genders, even though they are perfectly able to work and earn respectfully. This has even resulted in the lives of citizens becoming unsafe.
Recently, my mother became a victim of this prevalent nuisance as a beggar snatched a hotpot from her soon after she had bought it.
Despite such experiences, we feel sympathy for them, especially the young children who are trained to beg rather than being enrolled in schools to lead a normal life.
- Syeda Nayum Shah, Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2019.
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