Citizens launch anti-beggary campaign
Members of civil society have launched a campaign against beggary in the city, focusing on protecting children from being abused and exploited by gangs of criminals.
According to those involved in the campaign, who include public rights activists, forcing children into begging is closely connected to crimes such as child abduction, trafficking, molestation and forced labour.
They appealed to people to give beggars cooked food or water, rather than providing them money, claiming that the strategy could affect the income of criminal gangs involved in begging, and ultimately prevent instances of child abduction.
A senior official associated with the Sindh Social Welfare Department said that many child beggars were deliberately mutilated to gain public sympathy, adding that many such children were also used as drug mules or drug peddlers. Claiming that her department was keen to address the problem, she added that they needed the assistance of citizens as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2020.