Over 100 beggars booked in Lahore

CTO highlights traffic hazards caused by begging on roads

LAHORE:

The traffic police have booked 102 professional beggars in an operation across the city.

Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Amara Athar said in a statement that the number of professional peddlers had increased in Ramazan and four squads had been formed for the crackdown against them.

She said 102 cases had been registered against professional beggars during the month.

The CTO said more than 830 children and elderly beggars had been released after giving a warning.

Amara Athar ordered the divisional and circle officers to take strict action against beggars.

She said the beggars were being removed from main traffic signals, while cases had been registered against those duping the citizens by posing as being disabled.

“The citizens should support the traffic police in discouraging such elements because your hard earned money is not for cheaters,” she appealed.

The CTO said that not only the traffic flow was affected by the beggars, but there was also a risk of road accidents.

She added that the operation would help maintain the flow of traffic.

She said being poor was not a crime, but making begging on the false pretext of being needy was a moral crime. Cases should be registered against those who disguised themselves for begging, she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2024.