PHC seeks report on child beggary

Directs Nowshera police to detail action against child exploitation

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has instructed police authorities to formally submit a detailed report on efforts to curb child beggary and drug addiction among minors in Nowshera district, following a petition highlighting the exploitation of young children in these activities.

A bench headed by Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah heard the case, with Additional Advocate General Numanul Haq Kakakhel and police officials appearing before the court.

The Additional Advocate General informed the court that the District Police Officer (DPO) Nowshera had prepared a report in compliance with earlier judicial directives, outlining actions taken to eliminate street begging and drug involvement among children. The court, however, directed that the report be properly filed through a miscellaneous application for official record.

During the proceedings, the Additional Advocate General stated that child beggars are no longer visible at traffic signals in Nowshera. He personally visited several areas of the district over two to three days and observed that children previously seen begging, cleaning vehicle windows, or selling items at signals have disappeared due to effective police action.

The petitioner's counsel highlighted that minor children in Nowshera were being systematically involved in drug use and organized begging. He urged stern action against groups engaged in drug peddling and forcing children into beggary.