Tackling beggary

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Karachi is a city of stark contrasts, where the vibrant energy of metropolitan life coexists with the harsh realities of poverty. Among these realities is the persistent issue of begging, particularly in public spaces like traffic lights, parks and street corners. While recent court orders have sought to curb this activity, a ban is unlikely to significantly deter beggars.

The Sindh High Court's (SHC) directive to the traffic police to prevent begging in the city has reignited debate about the complexities surrounding the issue. Proponents of stricter regulations argue that begging contributes to public nuisance and harassment, especially when vulnerable groups, including transgender individuals, are involved. However, banning begging outright may not be the solution to what is ultimately a deep-rooted socioeconomic problem.

Begging often reflects systemic failures in providing adequate support systems for marginalised communities. Many individuals resort to begging as a last option for survival, driven by poverty, lack of education, unemployment and insufficient access to social services. In a city with a booming population and limited economic opportunities, addressing the root causes of begging becomes paramount. This involves not only economic upliftment but also comprehensive social programmes that empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty.

Authorities should look beyond punitive measures and try to provide, or at least facilitate, job training programmes, social welfare schemes and legislative action that addresses the systemic issues fueling poverty. Otherwise, we will continue to earn global shame as our alms-seeking fellow citizens commit visa fraud to go to the Middle East and beyond, seeking to con some honest folks out of their hard-earned money. And thanks to visa fraud, people who were previously deported just keep using forged documents to return to their preferred begging spots, earning Pakistan even more embarrassment and making life even harder for Pakistani tourists and expats.