SWAT: The social welfare department launched here the other day an operation against beggars and drug addicts.

The department formed a special team to trace beggars in the district and rehabilitate drug addicts.

The team headed by additional deputy commissioner relief, Riaz Ali Khan, and district social welfare officer Nusrat Iqbal launched the operation in Mingora Bazaar.

Mr Khan said the operation would be carried out regularly to monitor the beggars and drug addicts in the city and its suburbs. He said young uniformed staffers had been trained and made part of the squad, which will carry out special surveillance to identify beggars and drug addicts.

Mr Khan said the squad would arrest the beggars and present them before a magistrate, after which they would be transferred to Darul Kafala, where arrangements have been made for rehabilitation of drug addicts and offering training courses to beggars.

Speaking on the occasion, Nusrat Iqbal said regular complaints were being received from the citizens about the increasing number of beggars in Mingora and its suburbs. She added on the basis of those complaints, a special squad was formed to launch operation against them.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2021