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........

© Pakistan Observer