Beggars are very common in Pakistan. Main centres of their activity are the places of worship and markets. They squat on the sides of the roads in front of the mosques and other places of hectic activity. They roam from street to street, from one locality to another and beg for alms, food and money.
Some give alms to beggars in order to ward off the nuisance, not out of charity. Even some young and healthy are also found in this profession by choice. They do not deserve charity at all. The deserving cases are few. They evoke pity and compassion.
But most of the beggars live on the generosity of women. These beggars never miss religious gatherings and other festivals. Some wear only a loin cloth. Some meditate under a tree. But many are cheats and hypocrites. These beggars deceive the innocent women and at items rob them.
Their number is on the rise. These beggars live on the earnings of others. It is really a curse that even able-bodied citizens of Pakistan resort to begging. Begging should be banned in Pakistan by law. Legislation must be enacted to put an end to this profession. However, deserving cases should be helped and others should be given gainful employment.
FARHEEN
Karachi
