Flood victims forced to beg in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Many people, claiming to be flood victims, can be seen begging on the roads of Islamabad.

One such person from Mianwali, Sakeena Bibi, told The Express Tribune that she lived a comfortable life with her husband, who was a tailor, and three daughters before the floods hit her neighbourhood.

“I was forced to move to Islamabad because I was getting nothing from the government,” she said. Separated from her husband, she had wanted to get a job but nobody knew her and she had to resort to beggary to make ends meet.

Zareena Sheikh, a housewife, told The Express Tribune that many women came to her door everyday, saying they were flood victims and needed food, clothes and shelter.

Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, Aamir Ali Ahmed, said that flood victims were not supposed to be in Islamabad. “The government has set up relief camps close to their cities and villages to accommodate them,” he added.

Captain Farid, Assistant Commissioner in Islamabad Administration, said they were still carrying out their anti-beggars campaign. “During our campaign we catch beggars and take their details. If they are caught again, we consider them professionals and punish them according to the law.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2010.