Police have arrested 299 professional beggars during a 26-day crackdown launched on the directives of City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani, Police said on Tuesday.  Among those taken into custody were 138 men, 144 women and 17 transgender persons, a police spokesperson said, adding that operations were carried out across the city as part of an intensified enforcement drive. 

He said special squads had been constituted to curb organised begging, particularly on busy roads and highways where beggars often obstruct traffic and inconvenience commuters.“Strict surveillance is being maintained on major arteries to prevent begging that disrupts traffic flow and public movement,” he said. 

He added that many professional beggars were also found to be involved in theft, drug peddling and other criminal activities.  The crackdown against professional beggars will continue across the city in line with the vision of the Punjab chief minister, the spokesperson added.  

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)