DIGNITY is inherent in all humans from birth.

They represent the supreme creations of God. Humanity should be thankful to Allah for this divine gift and blessing. It is the responsibility of humans to make every effort to live in this world while maintaining their dignity and integrity. But human actions that chip away at dignity involve “beggary,” rendering capable people into a state where maintaining dignity for them turns secondary. Beggary is often perceived as a marginal social issue—an unfortunate but inevitable presence in urban life. In reality, it is a profound indicator of systemic failure. When beggars dominate traffic signals, markets, mosques and public spaces, the problem extends beyond individual poverty and reveals deeper flaws in governance, economic management, population planning and human development. In Pakistan, the persistence and expansion of beggary are not accidental; they are structural.

Over the past 16 months, starting January 2024, 5,033 Pakistani beggars were deported from Saudi Arabia, according to a National Assembly report. In the same period, 369 were apprehended for begging in five other nations. Since January 2024, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar and the UAE have deported 5,402 Pakistanis on begging charges. A Gallup Pakistan survey offers quantifiable data on the prevalence of street-begging encounters. A majority of 63% feel compelled to give money to those begging. The average donation was Rs 20, which the report interprets as “3780 million PKR donated to beggars.” Half of the respondents report encountering beggars every day. It is believed by 66% that beggars are exploited by organizations through forced begging.

The country’s beggary problem has intensified due to a lack of economic growth and human development funding. By 2024, Pakistan’s poverty had risen to approximately 25% due to the reversal of earlier reductions caused by shocks and inadequate reforms. With an HDI of 0.540, Pakistan is classified as having “low human development,” ranking 164th out of 193 countries according to the 2023-24 HDR. Another foremost reason behind the prevalence of beggary is the lack of political will. Anti-beggary laws exist, yet enforcement remains selective, episodic and largely symbolic. Crackdowns are often cosmetic—launched before international events or high-profile visits—only for beggars to reappear days later. Without sustained commitment, coordination and rehabilitation frameworks, enforcement alone becomes ineffective.

Education deficits further compound the issue. Illiteracy and school dropouts deprive individuals of basic skills and awareness, pushing them toward dependency. Children raised in environments where begging is normalized often inherit it as a profession rather than an emergency survival mechanism, perpetuating an intergenerational cycle. Closely linked is the lack of economic opportunities. When urban economies fail to generate sufficient low-skill and entry-level jobs, marginalized populations are left outside the formal labour market. For many, beggary becomes a rational—though tragic—economic choice in the absence of alternatives.

Pakistan’s population explosion has intensified the crisis. Rapid population growth has outpaced job creation, housing, healthcare and education. Large families with limited income inevitably push vulnerable members—especially women, children and the elderly—onto the streets. The situation worsens during periods of economic meltdown. Inflation, unemployment, rising food prices and shrinking purchasing power expand the pool of the working poor. Economic stress transforms casual begging into an organized activity, blurring the line between desperation and exploitation.

Most alarming, however, is the rise of organized beggary mafias. These criminal networks traffic children, exploit persons with disabilities and control lucrative begging zones. Without dismantling these structures, the problem cannot be resolved through welfare or enforcement alone. Countering beggary requires a shift from emotional responses to coherent state policy. The government must adopt a comprehensive national framework that combines legal deterrence, rehabilitation, skills training and social reintegration. Punitive measures without rehabilitation merely displace the problem geographically.

Local governance must be central to this strategy. Union Councils and municipal administrations are best positioned to identify, register, rehabilitate and monitor beggars. Empowered local governments can connect vulnerable individuals to welfare schemes, shelters, healthcare and vocational programs—something centralized bureaucracies struggle to do. Equally critical is skills development. Short-term vocational training aligned with local market demand can convert dependency into productivity. Public–private partnerships, microfinance initiatives and community-based enterprises can provide sustainable livelihoods to those currently trapped in begging.

Improving human development indicators is a long-term but indispensable solution. Investment in primary healthcare, disability support and social safety nets reduces vulnerability and prevents people from slipping into beggary due to temporary shocks. Education remains the most effective preventive tool. Rescuing child beggars, ensuring school enrollment and providing stipends to poor families can break the intergenerational transmission of poverty.

To eliminate begging, societies must deem it unacceptable. The idea of helping beggars should be met with social disapproval. Public awareness campaigns should persuade people against giving money to beggars. However, this necessitates strengthening social security nets to ensure that vulnerable populations receive adequate care in terms of food, shelter and survival.

Finally, the role of scholars and civil society is indispensable. Religious leaders can guide charitable giving toward structured welfare institutions rather than street almsgiving, which often sustains begging mafias. Civil society organizations can support rehabilitation, advocacy and monitoring, bridging the gap between state and society. Beggary is not a moral failure of individuals; it is a governance failure of systems. We must commit to eradicating the menace of beggary nationwide. If this blight is not eradicated, the country’s reputation and progress will be marred by the curse of beggary.

—The writer is Commoner from 44th Common Educationist — Founder of WHI Institute.based in Sargodha.

© Pakistan Observer