By Amjad Yousaf Zai
Taxila, (Parliament Times) : The Cantonment board authorities on Friday initiated a massive crackdown against professional beggars and their handlers in the commercial and residential areas of the garrison city of Wah to curb the menace. Wah Cantonment executive officer Ms. Maria Jabeen Khan revealed on Thursday that scores of professional beggars among them women and children were rounded up from various commercial and residential areas, especially around busy business centers of Aslam Market, Lalarukh, Lalazar, and adjacent areas. She expressed resolve to take vigorous action against beggars who swarm in the various markets and business centers on certain days. “These arrests send a clear message that Wah Cantonment has zero tolerance for such organized begging rings.” She added. She said that the apprehended individuals, identified as professional beggars, were whisked away to the Cantonment board office. “The recent anti-beggary operation professional beggaries including children, women, and transgender persons is just the latest in a series of ongoing crackdowns led by the civic body’s enforcement team demonstrating the Cantonment board authorities’ unwavering commitment to combating the organized begging menace”. She added. He said that in a bid to curb the rising trend of professional begging in Wah Cantonment, authorities have implemented robust measures resulting in legal actions against scores of beggars signaling a determined effort to address the issue. “The focus is on making the garrison city of Wah a more livable place for residents by eliminating the prevalence of begging and fostering an environment where residents can thrive independently”, she added.
