Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi chaired a meeting at his office to strategize an effective crackdown on beggars operating at traffic signals, intersections, and markets. Commissioner Naqvi emphasized that the presence of professional beggars has become a significant disturbance for citizens, highlighting the urgency to curb this issue.
He directed deputy commissioners and the traffic police to coordinate their efforts against these individuals, urging them to work closely with relevant organizations, departments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to identify the underlying factors contributing to the problem.
The meeting saw participation from key officials, including Additional Commissioner-I Ghulam Mehdi Shah, Deputy Commissioner South AltafSario, Assistant Commissioner Civil Lines JavedAlam, Assistant Commissioner Revenue SajjadAbro, and representatives from the RTA and SP Traffic South. Some deputy commissioners joined via video link.
A significant resolution from the meeting mandated all deputy commissioners to take action against individuals who have turned begging into a business network within their respective districts.
The group also focused on addressing the root causes of begging, with discussions centering around establishing rehabilitation centers for homeless children to provide them with education, training, and nourishment. Further suggestions included targeted measures for elderly beggars. A collaborative approach with the Child Protection Bureau, Social Welfare Department, and NGOs focused on child welfare was proposed to facilitate rehabilitation efforts.
Deputy Commissioner South AltafSario reported that local authorities have been actively apprehending professional beggars, with several arrests made and individuals handed over to the police. Deputy Commissioner Central TahaSaleem confirmed that over ten professional beggars were arrested in the Central district alone.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Korangi Masood Bhutto reported the arrest of 27 beggars from various intersections. As each deputy commissioner provided updates, they acknowledged that while efforts are being made to alleviate public distress, many beggars tend to return, prompting the need for more sustainable solutions to this persistent issue.
