Beggars flood Rawalpindi markets

RAWALPINDI:

Professional beggars have rushed into markets of the garrison city ahead of the holy month of Ramazan. The issue has notably intensified this season.

Among the beggars, eunuchs have become a common sight, seeking alms across various parts of the city, while the local authorities appear to remain passive observers amidst this growing concern.

The streets and busy roadways of Rawalpindi are now scenes of persistent begging, with a notable presence of children, women and the elderly employing various tactics to draw sympathy and donations from the public.

These individuals often engage in activities such as offering to clean vehicle windows at traffic stops, actions that suggest coordination with the so-called ‘beggar mafia’.

Citizens have expressed their dismay, highlighting that the rampant beggary tarnishes the image of a society that prides itself on civility and order.

Criticism has been particularly directed towards the Child Protection Bureau, an entity that, despite its mandate to safeguard children’s rights, seems to turn a blind eye to the exploitation of young beggars.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2024.