The Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) rescued over 279 beggar children in the provincial capital during the last 40 days.
The rescue operations were conducted at Punjab University(PU)Campus Bridge, Main Market Gulberg, Johar Town, Akbar Chowk, Bhatta Chowk, Defence, Barkat Market, Karim Block Market, Moon Market, MM Alam Road, Shahdara, Data Darbar and other spots of the city. In a press statement issued here on Monday, CPWP Chairperson,Sarah Ahmed said that child rescue operations were being carried out in the city on a daily basis due to which a decrease in child beggars was observed at major thoroughfares.
The chairperson said a total of 659 beggars were taken into custody from various districts of Punjab during the same period, while 35 FIRs have been registered against guardians and parents who forcibly involving their children in begging. The chairperson said and added that the citizens could report child beggary on the helpline 1121 of the CPWB.
Following the complaints of citizens, the rescue operations were being carried out on Saturday and Sunday as well.
Moreover, following the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, grand operation against professional beggars has been launched in which cases were registered against 60 professional beggars in four days. According to the details, a grand operation against professional beggars is going on under the direction of Chief Minister Punjab, divisional and circle officers have been ordered to take action under their supervision.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Amara Athar said that professional beggars and hawkers are being removed immediately from signals. The busy and important highways of the city will be cleared of hawkers.
CTO Lahore stated that cases will be registered against those who beg by pretending to have a fake disability.
Actions and cases were registered against 60 professional beggars in four days, while more than 300 children and elderly people were left with warnings.
Amara Athar added that the citizens should support the traffic police in discouraging such elements, saying that your hard earned money is not for fraudsters.
