PESHAWAR — The provincial government is passing a historic law to dismantle the begging mafia in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This new bill proposes strict legal action against anyone forcing children to beg. The government insists it will show no leniency to these exploiters.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi stated that protecting and educating these children is a constitutional duty. The “Vagrancy Bill” officially makes organized begging a punishable crime. It focuses on ending exploitation, ensuring rehabilitation, and providing aftercare. The law suggests severe penalties for those running organized begging rings.
Implementation Obstacles
Distinguishing between professional criminals and those in genuine need remains a major hurdle. While the KP begging mafia law leaves no room for panhandling, the reality of a struggling society creates complications.
In a just society, no person should feel forced to beg. However, extreme poverty and unemployment drive people to the streets. Social apathy also plays a massive role. These factors force parents to put their children to work or beg. Although laws already ban child labor, the practice remains widespread. If the government relies only on the KP begging mafia law without providing aid, failure is inevitable.
Laws vs. Reality
Legislation alone cannot solve this crisis. We see this in the war on drugs. Despite many laws and agencies, drug sales continue and addicts still roam the streets. Similarly, lawmaking cannot stop begging if the root causes remain.
Controlling professional beggars would be a great success. However, the state must also provide financial support for the truly destitute.
The Path to Success
To stop the KP begging mafia law from failing, the state and society must act together:
- The State: The government must set up a permanent system to help the poor.
- The Citizens: People must distribute Zakat, Sadaqah, and Fitrana honestly.
Ending the begging crisis requires a coordinated effort. Without addressing poverty and social duties, the mafia will survive despite the new laws.
