LAHORE: The Government of Punjab has decided to launch an organized and result-oriented crackdown against professional beggar mafias across the province. Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi chaired an important meeting at the Home Department to review measures against organized vagrant networks. In the first phase, the relevant departments have been directed to implement an effective and coordinated strategy to make Lahore a “Beggar-Free City.” During the meeting, the Secretary Home ordered a strict crackdown against professional beggars operating at public places.
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority and Traffic Police have been tasked with identifying and dismantling the organized networks behind professional begging. The meeting was informed that forcing individuals to become vagrants is a non-bailable offence under the law in Punjab.
The amended Punjab Vagrancy Ordinance, 1958, is currently in force to address this issue. The Secretary Home Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi directed all relevant institutions to conduct joint operations to eliminate organized begging from Lahore.
He emphasized that strict action against the handlers and masterminds of professional beggars was indispensable. He further stated that the Government of Punjab had introduced legislative amendments to ensure that professional beggars and the gang leaders are brought to justice. He noted that the substantial increase in penalties and fines would serve as a deterrent against organized begging.
The Secretary Home directed all relevant departments to ensure strict punishment for those who force innocent children, elderly people and women into begging. He also instructed that arrested members of these mafias should be prosecuted effectively to secure exemplary punishment.
Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi emphasized that all concerned departments must adopt a coordinated strategy to eradicate professional begging networks. He directed the authorities to ensure the effective use of modern technology and human intelligence during the anti-begging campaign. The Secretary Home further instructed that a comprehensive database of repeat offenders involved in professional begging should be developed.
Similarly, an updated database should be maintained for every deserving, impoverished and needy individual admitted to welfare homes. He also directed authorities to identify hotspot locations and conduct targeted operations. According to the Secretary Home, the Government of Punjab is transforming welfare homes into centers of social welfare and rehabilitation. Capacity at welfare homes is being enhanced to support deserving, underprivileged and needy individuals.
He directed that welfare homes should provide high-quality facilities related to food, healthcare and accommodation. Special arrangements should also be made to ensure education for children residing in welfare homes. The Secretary Home added that welfare homes would also offer vocational training and skill-development programs to enable needy individuals to become financially self-sufficient in the future.
He stressed that civil society must also play its role in supporting vulnerable segments of society. Secretary Home Punjab urged citizens to report professional beggar mafias by calling the police helpline, 15, assuring that the identity of informants would remain strictly confidential.
The important meeting was attended by Secretary Social Welfare Saira Omar, Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan, Director General Social Welfare Dr. Shehnshah Faisal, Director General Probation and Parole Shahid Iqbal, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Burana, Additional Secretary Judicial Abdul Rauf, CTO Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi, AIG Sarfraz Virk, Deputy Prosecutor General Dr. Usman Iqbal, Director Civil Defence Punjab Tasneem Ali Khan, as well as officials from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, FIA, School Education Department and Health Department.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026