Lahore Traffic Police has launched an initiative to tackle professional begging through rehabilitation, skills training and livelihood support as part of a wider effort to build a “zero-begging Punjab”.
Chief Traffic Officer Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi chaired a meeting with representatives of the Punjab Small Industries Corporation and Alkhidmat Foundation to develop a framework for the social and economic reintegration of deserving individuals involved in begging.
Under the pilot project, the Alkhidmat Foundation will identify 10 men and women for the first phase. The Punjab Small Industries Corporation will provide soft loans of up to Rs500,000 each so they can start small businesses and earn a sustainable income.
The participants also agreed to establish “Jhuggi Schools” in informal settlements across Lahore to improve access to education for underprivileged children. Women, children and transgender persons will also receive vocational training in fields such as beautician work, tailoring and embroidery.
Shirazi said Alkhidmat volunteers would help traffic police map, profile and assess people engaged in begging. He added that authorities would also act against organised begging networks and their handlers under relevant laws.
The Lahore Traffic Police has already taken action against more than 3,500 beggars this year.
In a separate move, Shirazi demoted seven traffic inspectors, dismissed one traffic warden and awarded disciplinary punishments to several others over negligence, misconduct and corruption.
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