Naqvi orders stricter crackdown on professional beggars

Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi on Sunday ordered all deputy commissioners to take special measures to curb professional beggars ahead of Eidul Fitr. He emphasised the need to intensify the ongoing crackdown and make it more effective.

According to details released by the Commissioner’s Office, 220 professional beggars have been arrested and handed over to the police since March 1, and measures have been taken to prevent them from returning.

The DCs were also been instructed to identify and apprehend individuals responsible for managing and deploying beggars across the city. Taking notice of the rising number of professional beggars, the commissioner ordered a stricter crackdown at markets, intersections and shopping centres.

He urged the DCs to collaborate with social welfare organisations, non-governmental organisations, the traffic police and the local law enforcement agencies to address the issue effectively.On Friday, the commissioner chaired a high-level meeting to review transport and traffic arrangements ahead of Eidul Fitr.

The meeting was attended by Transport Secretary Asad Zamin, Traffic DIG Peer Muhammad Shah, Additional Commissioner Karachi-I Ghulam Mehdi Shah, Traffic Engineering Bureau Senior Director Yousuf Iqbal, deputy commissioners and others.

The meeting reviewed measures to prevent overcharging by intercity bus operators and ensure the implementation of official fares during the Eid travel season. The transport secretary informed the meeting that intercity bus operators had been warned against overcharging passengers, and strict action would be taken against violators.

It was decided to set up help desks at the Karachi Bus Terminal on the Super Highway and other intercity bus terminals under the supervision of the Provincial Transport Authority secretary to assist passengers with fare-related complaints. The transport department and traffic police personnel would be deployed at these help desks, and awareness banners would be installed to inform passengers not to pay fares exceeding the official rates.

Additionally, the Provincial Transport Authority would publicise this information through the print and electronic media. The commissioner directed the Provincial Transport Authority secretary to ensure that the travellers visiting their families for Eid faced no difficulties and the transporters adhered to the official fares.

The meeting also decided to prominently display warning banners for transporters and set up a helpline for passengers to report overcharging. It was decided that the complaints received via the helpline would be addressed promptly. The participants also reviewed the traffic control and parking arrangements to manage the expected surge in Eid shopping.