SWAT: The Swat police on Monday booked several parents for ‘coercing’ their children into begging on the streets.

Mingora police station SHO Mujeeb Alam Khan told Dawn that over a dozen children were collected from various parts of Mingora and brought to the police station. “They were provided with food and a safe space to share their experiences,” he said.

“Several children disclosed that their parents forced them to beg daily, setting them a target of Rs1,000 to Rs1,500, and if they failed to meet the target, they faced punishment, often being denied food or subjected to physical abuse,” the police officer said while quoting the children.

Following these disclosures, the SHO said he immediately ordered the arrest of the children’s guardians. “Cases were filed against the parents to discourage child exploitation,” he added.

SHO Alam warned the parents if they continued to force their children into begging, they would face severe legal consequences.

The children said instead of sending them to school, their fathers sent them to different streets to beg from early morning till late night. “Sometimes I go home midnight after collecting the targeted amount of Rs1,500, and when I fail to do so, my father beats me up,” said a child, a resident of Malookabad area.

Some children said they started seeking alms after school but it was hard to meet the target in winter because the days were shorter, so they had to continue begging till midnight.

The police action highlights the authorities’ commitment to protecting vulnerable children from such abuses.

Local child rights advocates applauded the move, emphasising the need for long-term solutions and support for the economically-challenged families, so they were not forced to involve their children in begging.

Community leaders also urged the government agencies to provide financial assistance and access to free education for the children of the poor families to help curb child labour or begging.

“We see the children sitting outside markets or big shops, begging till late night. This is a grim reminder of the economic struggles faced by certain segments of society. However, the action taken by the Swat police offers hope for a future where children are protected and given opportunities for a better life, free from exploitation and abuse,” said Akbar Ali, a resident of Mingora.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2024