PESHAWAR: Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, has expressed serious concern over the increasing issue of organized begging in urban areas, labeling it a threat to public order and dignity.
In response, the CM has issued a high-level directive to implement immediate measures aimed at regulating begging, curbing the exploitation by professional syndicates, and rehabilitating vulnerable individuals forced into begging.
To tackle this issue, the provincial government plans to introduce the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Vagrancy (Control and Rehabilitation) Act, a new law targeting exploitative begging rings that often use children, disabled individuals, and drugged persons for profit.
A multi-departmental committee has been established to draft the legislation within 30 days. Additionally, Divisional Commissioners will lead enforcement task forces to designate key public spaces as no-begging zones.
Enhanced surveillance measures, including AI-powered facial recognition, CCTV monitoring, and geo-tagging of hotspots, will assist authorities in tracking offenders.
For rehabilitation, the Social Welfare Department will expand shelters and collaborate with NGOs to provide vocational training, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for rescued beggars. A public helpline will also be set up for citizens to report instances of organized begging.
The Chief Minister emphasized that this crackdown aims to restore public safety while addressing the root causes of begging. This initiative, scheduled to launch ahead of peak seasons such as Ramazan and Hajj, reflects the government’s commitment to combine legal action, technology, and social support for lasting change.
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