CHITRAL: Overseas Pakistanis have initiated a movement to end the menace of professional beggary which has become phenomenal in Pakistan. it is estimated that 38 million people are engaged in active begging. This practice has transitioned from a survival tactic to a lucrative business, generating around $42 billion annually, which constitutes over 12% of Pakistan’s GDP. The ever thriving organized begging networks, often referred to as “beggar mafias,” exploits vulnerable population, including children and the disabled, pushing them into this profession under coercive circumstances.

Asking the government to do something about it is wishing for too much, as our governments in succession have themselves proved to be post graduates in the begging business, especially in international beggary. If anything can be done it has to be done by the people who should be educated and indoctrinated about the implications when they give cash to professional beggars. It has been observed that some street beggars are so bold that if you ignore them they mumble derogatory words against you while turning away.

The overseas Pakistanis movement against beggary says we must  not pay cash but can give food or clothing to the beggars. This would discourage them to some extent but the better way would be to totally ignore street beggars, whether they be children, women, old people or physically handicapped ones. That is the only way they will get discouraged. Along side this, people should donate to organizations (new ones should be formed) who look for and adopt genuinely needy ones. .. CN report, 29 Jan 2025