Islamabad:
In the midst of repeated action against beggars from the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration, the city continues to witness an increase in the number of beggars in its streets, markets and traffic cruisers.
In most areas of main city and housing communities in the suburbs, they are seen in abundance with scores among them are permanent and professionals who appear to be part of a nexus operating in the city. Some residents have pointed out that many of these permanent beggars are raised to designated places daily in the morning and picked up in the evening by their masters after day begging in these areas.
Particularly busy areas such as F-6, F-7, F-10 Markaz, the capital’s most important traffic signals and housing communities along the Islamabad Expressway, including PWD, Police Foundation and Pakistan Town Commercial Area have witnessed an increase in beggars, including women and children requesting money from commuters and shoppers.
Residents express concern about the prevailing situation and have demanded a strict enforcement of anti-violated laws and argued that uncontrolled begging not only spots Islamabad’s reputation, but also results in small crimes. They are also disturbed by resuming beggar groups after a few days of action from ICT administration, which occasionally launches the operation against these beggars, nab them and puts behind the columns.
But this practice could not prove to be a permanent solution to this threat, as there are also reports that many cloth pickers perform Recce in different areas during the day leading to theft and robbery after sunset. Citizens of many sites have expressed frustration over frequent meetings with organized groups of beggars as well as the crimes as a snap or looting valuables and breaking into houses, which also threatens human life.
“When Islamabad, when considered one of the most orderly and quiet cities in South Asia, is now struggling with a sustained and increasingly visible challenge from Beggary,” noted a businessman, Saleem Khan. “From traffic signals to busy markets, the city’s triggers are teeming by individuals with many of those who look like part of organized groups or an unseen Nexus operating in the city,” said Saleem Khan.
“Some of them seek aggressively alms, and when they are denied either they abuse you or scratch your vehicles and run away.” Since they are professionals who are engaged in this notorious practice for years, they have several techniques for the way. “Their techniques range from sympathetic women holding infants, children selling flowers, some knocking windows in your car and some older begging for medical treatment or marriage to their daughters,” said Aiman Baig, a working woman.
“Some of them are too sticky and arrogant and also adopt derogatory remarks when they are denied alms.” She said, whether it is a cross at Aabpara, traffic -loaded Jinnah Avenue or other areas of the city, you can find them everywhere. Amina Rafeeq, a local resident describes it as very uncomfortable and says, “Even if you want to help someone needy, you can’t see who really deserves and who belongs to a nexus.”
