Beggars: ubiquitous feature of Ramazan in Pindi

RAWALPINDI:

With the onset of Ramazan, traditional beggars have flooded every nook and corner of the city. A large number of beggars including women and children can now be seen in front of commercial centres, mosques, imambargahs, city streets, markets and food points at sehri and iftar timings.

The beggar mafia is not even sparing government offices and district courts during the holy month. A large number of beggars are present outside mosques and imambargahs during prayer times.

A good number of beggar families have arrived in the city to beg at commercial centres and markets. They have also set up their temporary shelters near hospitals and metro bus stations.

Beggars are engaged in alms collections from 9am till late at night. As soon as the traffic signals stop at the intersections, beggar children reach in front of the vehicles. The number of city and outside beggars and their families will increase with each passing day till Eidul Fitr.

Along with beggars, a large number of eunuchs are also seen begging in cheap Ramazan and model bazaars. Police seem acting as a silent spectator as no efforts are there to stop beggars despite the government’s ban.

Under the Beggary Act, cases are registered against beggars and they are jailed. Child beggars are taken into custody and sent to the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB).