KARACHI, Nov 7: City government will launch a drive against the menace of beggary from the first of Ramazan.

This was stated by City Nazim, Naimatullah Khan, on Wednesday, while speaking as chief guest at a seminar on the role of society towards the eradication of beggary.

The moot was organized at the Frere Hall under the auspices of the Community Development Department of the city government.

Naimatullah Khan, however, stressed that no such campaign can be a success unless a rehabilitation plan is chalked out for the poor and deserving.

He was optimistic that if beggary is effectively checked at about 50 roundabouts in Karachi, 90 per cent of the problem would be resolved.

The City Nazim said that the drive against beggary would be initiated in the metropolis from the first of Ramazan because there is an influx of beggars in the city during this month.

He said that during this campaign, a drive would also be launched for awareness about traffic rules and regulations.

The trained volunteers of social welfare organizations and NGOs, as well as elected representatives, would also be involved in this task. But no such efforts can be successful without the cooperation of the people, he added.

Naimatullah Khan said that of all social ills, beggary is the one that also affects social psychology.

He was also critical of the practice of seeking aid from the World Bank, IMF and other donor agencies.

The City Nazim said that in Islam, the system of Zakat exists to help the poor.

The District Coordination Officer, Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, called for devising a strategy to help eradicate the problem of beggary.

He urged the people, social workers and opinion leaders to come up with practicable suggestions in this respect, whether this issue can be tackled administratively or by police intervention.

Social worker Shamim Kazmi said that in many instances, young women indulge in immoral practices under the garb of beggary which should be curbed.

She urged the administration to strike at the dens of beggars.

Another social worker, Begum Shirin Rehmatullah, said that the problem of beggary is not an easy one to solve.

She was of the view that a mafia exists behind this menace and that the police is also providing protection to beggary. She stressed the need to exhibiting the will to eradicate beggary.

Secretary of the Press Club, Najib Ahmed and Nadeem Shaikh also spoke on the occasion.

PLANTATION ORDERED: City Nazim, Naimatullah Khan, has directed that plantation work on both sides of the road from Super Highway to Thaddo Dam, as well as around the dam, be started forthwith to attract visitors.