Millionaire beggars

In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of reports about unusually rich beggars and the exploits of Pakistani beggars abroad, but it is a death in Gujaranwala that exposes the true extent of state failure at addressing the problem. According to news reports, a family of beggars from Gujranwala spent Rs12.5 million on the chaliswan mourning ritual of the family matriarch. That amount is easily several times the average annual income of many middle-class Pakistanis. For comparison, a salaried person earning Rs12 million a year would pay almost Rs3.5 million in income tax.

The fact that 'beggars' can spend such huge amounts is a national embarrassment and should motivate the state to take aggressive action against the practice. And while compassion and empathy are essential human virtues, the rise of professional beggars raises serious questions about accountability and the systems that enable such behaviour. There are already some laws on the books to deal with begging, but these are rarely enforced - although many corrupt cops use them to harass 'real' and professional beggars for chai-pani.

Apart from enforcement of existing laws, the government needs to set some form of income threshold that requires asset seizure of beggars, including reforming tax policy relating to recipients and distributors of charity funds. For a start, the entire family involved in the Gujranwala incident should be investigated and prosecuted for tax evasion. People involved in professional begging should also face severe punishment, including prolonged jail sentences and huge fines. Police officers who turn a blind eye to the practice should lose their jobs, and those who actively take a cut should face equivalent jail time.

But citizens also need to be wary. Well-intentioned citizens' donations are literally fueling this situation. Instead of just giving money to a poor person on the street, try talking to them. Most professional beggars quickly expose themselves upon questioning. A few minutes of our time would go miles in scaring off these scammers.