THE Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has introduced the Vagrancy Act 2026, a tough law to curb begging by targeting professional beggars. For a government often absorbed in protests and political spectacle this is a notable step. If enforced honestly and consistently it can clear cities, markets and streets of a growing social blight while reinforcing law, order and dignity. Begging has long become a problem affecting social fabric urban life public safety and national dignity. It is not a minor nuisance but a serious social economic and moral crisis. Public spaces show the scale of the issue. At traffic signals children move between cars asking for money. Elderly men and women stand with outstretched hands. Women with infants move through intersections and markets seeking alms. Mosques, hospitals, schools, bus terminals, railway stations and commercial areas have become familiar sites of professional begging. In many places citizens struggle to shop or commute peacefully. What makes the issue alarming is that begging is no longer only poverty expression. It has become an organized trade sustained by exploitation networks. Behind apparent helplessness lies deception child abuse exploitation of women and sometimes criminal protection. Many professional beggars fake sickness or disability to gain sympathy. Some are linked to theft pickpocketing fraud scouting homes and other crimes. Begging is thus both a social evil and a public order and security issue.
Islam emphasizes work self respect and dignity discouraging begging without genuine need. When able-bodied people choose begging over work, society declines morally. Sending children to streets instead of educational institutions destroys childhood and harms society’s conscience. Ending begging is therefore also a restoration of human dignity.
Internationally arrests and deportations of Pakistani beggars in Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, have harmed national reputation. Such cases reflect not only individuals but the country’s image abroad. A coordinated provincial and federal strategy is needed to prevent this disgrace and address the issue domestically.
Passing a law is only a beginning enforcement is the real test. Pakistan often fails in implementation due to weak or selective action. The Vagrancy Act 2026 requires coordination among police, district administration, social welfare bodies, local government and judiciary. Action must target professional beggars while distinguishing genuinely vulnerable people.
Welfare and rehabilitation are essential alongside enforcement. Arrests alone cannot solve the issue. The state must provide shelters, rehabilitation centres, vocational training, financial support, transparent zakat and welfare systems, child protection and education programs. Without support, banning begging only pushes it out of sight. Temporary aid like Ramadan packages or BISP has limits as it can create dependency and exclude some deserving people. Sustainable solutions require rehabilitation training and employment opportunities.
Particular attention must be given to those who exploit children for begging which is both unlawful and inhumane. Children forced into traffic or made to appear injured are being placed in grave danger and must face strict punishment to deter such cruelty. Public awareness is equally important as people often give money at traffic signals or streets out of sympathy or religious feeling without realizing it may sustain organized networks. Citizens should be encouraged to support credible welfare institutions instead of giving money directly in public spaces as structured systems can better help vulnerable individuals become self reliant. Such institutions must focus on rehabilitation training and employment rather than dependency and must also be strictly monitored to ensure transparency and prevent corruption. If the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government enforces the Vagrancy Act 2026 with seriousness fairness and coordination and builds a strong welfare system alongside it the law could become a foundation for real social reform. Ending begging requires more than slogans it demands political will administrative strength and sustained collective effort from society. If these elements come together it is possible to envision streets markets, mosques, hospitals and schools free from the visible burden of professional begging restoring dignity and order to public life. It will require sustained cooperation between government institutions, law enforcement agencies, social welfare departments and the public to ensure that enforcement does not become punitive alone but is balanced with compassion and rehabilitation for those genuinely in need. Ultimately, the success of the Vagrancy Act 2026 will depend on political will, administrative capacity and societal cooperation without which the law risks becoming another unenforced statute. We need a comprehensive approach that combines enforcement with long-term rehabilitation, education and economic opportunities ensuring that vulnerable individuals are not left without support while professional exploitation is firmly discouraged. Only through sustained commitment and transparent implementation can the province hope to eliminate the organized practice of begging and restore dignity to public spaces across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Success will also depend on consistent monitoring, public awareness and responsible civic behaviour that discourage street begging while supporting structured welfare channels that uplift the most vulnerable sections of society for a dignified and orderly society in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
—The writer is Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public, Usman Law Professional Corporation, based in Canada.
