In a significant move to address the issue of professional begging in Karachi, a sessions court has issued orders for immediate and effective action against beggars, including their arrest and initiation of legal proceedings under relevant laws.
Additional Sessions Judge Sohail Ahmed Mashori emphasized the urgency of the matter, directing the Karachi additional inspector general of police (AIG) to reactivate the police’s anti-beggary cell, which has reportedly been non-functional since 2018.
The judge stressed the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, including the Social Welfare Department and Child Protection Bureau, to tackle socio-economic factors and elements of human trafficking associated with begging. To facilitate this cooperation, the Karachi police chief was instructed to appoint a focal person for coordination with these agencies.
Additionally, the director general of the Sindh Child Protection Authority was directed to support efforts to dismantle child begging networks and assist in cases involving child beggars. The judge mandated the submission of compliance reports by May 28 to monitor progress in addressing the issue.
The court’s directives follow previous instructions issued on April 19, 2024, urging the AIG to take necessary measures to curb begging at traffic signals and public places. Despite directives issued to police authorities, compliance reports have not been submitted, prompting the court to reiterate the importance of swift action.
Furthermore, the Sindh Child Protection Authority expressed readiness to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in launching a drive against child begging. The authority proposed housing child beggars at the SCPA Malir Shelter Home for their safety and rehabilitation.
In a related development, the court dismissed a criminal petition filed by Ameera Khatoon seeking registration of an FIR against five individuals for alleged harassment. The dismissal came after the police informed the court that both the petitioner and proposed accused were beggars engaged in a dispute over lucrative begging spots.
As Karachi grapples with the challenge of professional begging, the court’s proactive stance underscores the need for concerted efforts by authorities to address the root causes of this issue and ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable individuals, particularly children, involved in begging activities.
