Forcing children into beggary: ‘Action to be taken against organised mafia’

LAHORE:Chairperson Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) and Punjab Assembly member Sarah Ahmed met Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Athar Waheed to discuss the ongoing crackdown on child beggary and organised begging mafias in the city.

During the meeting, both officials decided to further enhance and streamline joint rescue operations to remove child beggars from the streets and take strict action against those exploiting them. Sarah Ahmed stated that the CPWB and traffic police would continue coordinated efforts to eradicate professional beggars from Lahore.

“Strict action will be taken against organised begging mafias forcing children into beggary, and FIRs will be lodged against them,” she said. She emphasised that CPWB’s rescue teams and traffic wardens would work together to identify hotspots where child beggars are commonly found, ensuring their swift rescue.

Sarah Ahmed announced that CPWB and the traffic police would also launch a public awareness campaign to sensitize citizens about the issue. She urged residents to report any instances of child beggary or organised begging mafias by calling Child Helpline 1121 or emergency helpline 15.

“Traffic wardens deployed at major signals will promptly alert CPWB rescue teams if they spot child beggars, allowing immediate intervention,” she said, adding that all major roads and intersections in Lahore would be cleared of beggars through coordinated action.

Chairperson Chairperson Child Protection and Welfare Bureau lauded CTO’s efforts in anti-encroachment measures and other civic initiatives, acknowledging their positive impact on the city.

Meanwhile, CTO Waheed visited the CPWB facility and interacted with children residing there. He distributed gifts among them, expressing his commitment to supporting efforts for child welfare.