Gujranwala beggars spend over Rs12m on grandmother's 'Chaliswan'

A beggar family from Gujranwala has stunned society by allegedly spending a whopping Rs12.5 million on their grandmother’s 'Chaliswan', a mourning ritual to mark the 40th day of a person's death.

The event, which went viral on social media, was marked by extravagant arrangements, including slaughtering 250 goats and inviting 8,000 guests from across the country.

The ceremony, held in the Rahwali Railway Station grounds, saw an extensive menu served to guests, including "siri paye" (a traditional dish) and mutton rice with naan for breakfast and a lavish dinner with 250 goats slaughtered.

The attendees were provided with ample parking space, with over 2,000 vehicles accommodated at the venue.

The celebration was shared on social media, with a post from the account "Pakistan Tourism" detailing the lavish event, describing how 800 beggars from all over the country participated in the event.

The post received mixed reactions, with users expressing both shock and satire, highlighting the lavish spending by beggars.

One user criticized the excessive spending, stating, "Whether it's our tax money, such lavish use is deeply condemned." Another user shared their frustration with professional beggars, commenting, "This is why I never give money to professional beggars, even when people accuse me of having a hard heart."

Some social media users suggested that the government should tax these individuals and register begging as a profession. "FBR should tax them and officially register their profession," one user wrote. Another sarcastically asked, "Where can I sign up for online classes on this skill?"