Khawaja Asif Warns of Organized Begging Networks in Pakistan
Siālkoṭ : Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that begging has evolved into a structured profession, generating more “employment” than any other sector in the country.
Speaking to the media, Asif said contractors now recruit children, women, and the disabled to solicit alms, reportedly earning millions of rupees. He added that the same contractors are sending beggars in large numbers to Gulf countries, prompting authorities there to suspend visas for Pakistani workers.
The minister claimed that personnel from various departments at airports are complicit in this illicit trade, profiting from it. In Siālkoṭ, he noted, many of these operators come from southern Punjab and stay in hotels while running their operations.
Asif highlighted that recent actions by local administration and police have reduced the scale of the business, but beggars remain visible in the city. He added that the seemingly well-off individuals sponsoring these beggars often intervene as intermediaries when crackdowns occur.
“The scale of this unethical business is such that it provides more employment than any legitimate sector,” Asif said. “It cannot thrive without the support of local authorities, and it is linked to numerous other illicit activities.”
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