62 children rescued, 133 beggars detained in crackdown

PESHAWAR: About 62 underage children were rescued and the 133 professional beggars were arrested during a crackdown against organized begging networks on Thursday. Conducted under the supervision of Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Khan Mahsud under the directives of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur, the campaign aims to rehabilitate vulnerable individuals while dismantling mafias exploiting them for financial gain.

The children were shifted to Zamung Kor welfare centres in Hayatabad and Charsadda Road, where they are receiving free accommodation, food, and education. Male and female beggars have been relocated to Dar-ul-Kafala centres under the Social Welfare Department for skill development programs to help them integrate into society.

“This campaign reflects our commitment to addressing the exploitation of the vulnerable and ensuring a brighter future for these children,” said Commissioner Riaz Khan Mahsud.

Authorities have identified a 24-member mafia running the begging networks and shared their details with the police for immediate action. These individuals, reportedly residing in affluent areas of the city, are accused of profiting from the organized exploitation of beggars.

Commissioner Riaz Mahsud has ordered daily operations to rid the city of professional begging and sought regular progress reports. Additionally, makeshift settlements of beggars from other provinces, including Punjab, in Peshawar’s outskirts will be demolished, with individuals involved expelled from the province.

The campaign has been hailed as a critical step toward protecting vulnerable individuals and addressing the societal impacts of organized begging, with authorities vowing to sustain efforts until Peshawar is free from these networks.