ISLAMABAD: The capital police have arrested 588 professional beggars and registered cases against them in the current year as a crackdown against organised beggars’ mafia continued.

The identification process of the facilitators of beggars is ongoing with the help of Safe City cameras and human intelligence sources, said the police in a statement.

“Under the special directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, Islamabad Police have continued comprehensive operations against professional beggars and their facilitators in the federal capital. Acting on these instructions, legal action is being taken against professional beggars who harass citizens at roads, intersections, markets, and commercial areas.”

The police said that the facilitators and contractors who provided transportation and logistical support to beggars are being identified through Safe City surveillance cameras and human intelligence. During the ongoing year, police teams arrested 588 professional beggars and registered cases against them under the Beggary Act.

Additionally, legal action is being taken against parents whose children were found being used as beggars by criminal elements. Many criminals disguised as beggars have also been found involved in street crimes in different areas, added the police.

All police officers have been directed to further intensify and make these operations more effective. Citizens are requested to discourage professional beggars and immediately report any such activity to the police emergency helpline “Pukar-15.”

Search and combing operations

Meanwhile, during search operations carried out last week, a total of 1,340 individuals, 604 houses, 10 hotels, 21 shops, 428 motorcycles and 137 vehicles were checked. Additionally, 86 suspicious individuals, including 20 foreigners, along with 25 motorcycles, were shifted to respective police stations for verification.

Under the special instructions of the IGP, the police continue search and combing operations across various areas of the federal capital to maintain law and order and curb criminal elements.

During the past week, the police conducted eight search and combing operations.

These operations resulted in checking 1,340 individuals, 604 houses, 10 hotels, 21 shops, 428 motorcycles and 137 vehicles. Moreover, 20 foreigners and 86 suspicious individuals, along with 25 motorcycles, were shifted to police stations for further verification.

The IGP has directed that grand search operations should continue throughout the district to completely eliminate crime. The primary objective of these operations is to protect the lives and property of citizens and ensure complete eradication of crime in the city.

The police have appealed to citizens to cooperate during checking and immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or the helpline “Pukar-15.”

Ramazan security

The IGP chaired a meeting at Safe City Islamabad which was attended by senior police officers, including DIG Security Mohammad Atiq Tahir.

The meeting reviewed the security, surveillance and rapid response plan for Ramazan.

The IGP issued special directives to ensure effective use of Safe City cameras, real-time monitoring from the control room, special surveillance of high-risk locations and immediate response in case of emergencies. He directed that mosques, imambargahs, commercial centers and markets be continuously monitored and that immediate action be taken in case of any suspicious activity.

He stated that the modern surveillance system of Safe City would play a key role in maintaining security during Ramazan, and all officers must perform their duties with professionalism and coordination to ensure that citizens can perform their religious activities in a peaceful environment.

Later, the IGP visited the Ramazan Facilitation Bazaar in G-11 to review security and traffic arrangements.

He directed officials to further improve monitoring of entry and exit points, maintain visible police presence and prioritise public convenience.

He said all available resources must be utilised to maintain law and order in Ramazan, as protection of citizens’ lives and property remains the top priority of the police.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2026