A large number of beggars have arrived from other cities and villages this winter to cash in the generosity of the faithful and the sensitive. Local buses, roads, crossing and markets of the provincial capital are the usual ‘workplaces’ for these professional beggars. The public has to haggle with them daily to steer clear of alms seekers of all shades, appearances and ages. The number of beggars at busy traffic signals, chowks and road intersections has also swelled, significantly, depicting the ugly picture of deepening hunger and poverty in the province. To some it may seem heart-wrenching that even with the mercury falling below zero, women in tatters with sparsely clad infants tucked under their paltry arms rush towards cars for some money.
Beggary is a very humiliating profession as it needs great courage to imbibe contempt and abuse from people day in and day out. But for myriads beggary is lifestyle, especially in a big city like Lahore where all the major public places are teeming with these ‘professionals’. Anarkali, Liberty Market, Mall Road, Azam Market, Firdous Market, Bagwanpura Bazar, Main Bazar Ichra, Moon Market, Kareem Market, Barkat Market, Main Market, Ghalib Market and other shopping sites are swarming with these beggars of all age groups. These ‘professionals’ use all the tactics they know how to compel the commuters part with at least ten rupees at a time.
One of the main reasons for increasing beggary is increasing poverty. According of Asian Development Bank (ADB) the main causes of poverty in Pakistan are, poor governance, economic determinants, social determinants and environmental degradation. ADB’s ‘Governance: Sound Development Management Policy’ says poor governance is the key underlying cause of poverty in Pakistan. However, economic and social factors such as the slowdown in GDP growth in the last decade, and the persistence of a regressive social structure, stemming from the highly unequal distribution of land have also contributed to the increase in poverty. The recent floods that have played havoc with the country’s economy have also increased the number of beggars.
“I am a flood victim,” Saima, 29, said, adding that her entire family had come to Lahore and since they had not been able to find work, the women had taken up begging. Citizens have appealed to the Punjab government to take serious action against these elements as they pose security threat as well. They demanded that the government must screen professional beggars and take action against mafia operated beggars’ gangs in big cities. Over the years Lahoris have seen lukewarm efforts from the government’s side to coax and compel these beggars to give up the profession and live in shelter homes with dignity under surveillance. A number of such plans and projects have been initiated under social welfare department over the years but their success is an easy guess for every one.
