As twin cities residents make arrangements for Ramadan, beggars too have started to prepare for ‘the season’
With Ramadan just a few days away, a large number of beggars from remote areas have flooded the twin cities.
Professional beggars with a big number of children use different tactics to attract motorists and shoppers at various places in twin cities including markets.
The beggars are seen working in small groups to collect alms at different places including road signals, markets, mosques and streets of various sectors. Their ages range from 10 to 70 years including women, kids and old age persons, he added.
Residents of various localities said that the steps may be taken to discourage this menace from society, as according to Islamic teachings, it is not a good practice. There is no doubt that a number of drives by the concerned authorities have been underway but beggary still remains unchecked in commercial, residential areas, hospitals, bus stands and at different traffic signals of the city.
“Interestingly, some of these beggars use taxies to reach their assigned destination for seeking alms,” said a shopkeeper at Peshawar Mor. He said that particularly during Ramadan, most of the people pay much alms than other months. He claimed most of the kids are brought by professional beggars on daily wages from remote areas.
A beggar at Sitara Market said that he collects Rs 500 to 1,000 per day in routine days but in month of Ramadan, he collects 1,000 to 2,000 per day.
The citizens said that the concerned authorities should give a serious attention to this issue and launch a massive drive against the professional beggars with the help of philanthropists and other social organizations.
