ICT cracks down on organised begging, 28 arrested

Islamabad:The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration have launched a targeted operation against professional begging networks, detaining 28 individuals in coordinated raids across the city.

The crackdown, led by the district administration teams, aims to dismantle organised begging rings and restore public order. According to the spokesman of ICT administration here, the authority intensified its anti-begging campaign, arresting 28 individuals accused of professional begging in multiple neighbourhoods.

Raids were conducted in areas including Sector F-6, industrial zones, and Margalla, with officials transferring detainees to local police stations for further action. According to authorities, 20 suspects were detained in Sector F-6 by the Assistant Commissioner (City), while the Assistant Commissioner (Industrial Area) apprehended eight others near Margalla police jurisdiction.

The operation follows directives from Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, who has called for expanding the crackdown to all urban and commercial zones. On the occasion, the DC emphasised the need for community cooperation, urging citizens to avoid giving money to beggars and to alert authorities about suspicious behaviour.

“Public participation is critical to eliminating this practice,” the DC said, adding that the campaign prioritises rehabilitating vulnerable individuals linked to begging networks. Residents are advised to report beggars through designated helplines or local police stations.

Authorities warned that some individuals posing as beggars may be part of criminal groups exploiting public sympathy. The crackdown reflects Islamabad’s broader push to address street begging, which officials claim disrupts traffic, tourism, and community safety. Similar operations are expected to continue, with plans to integrate social services to assist at-risk populations.