KARACHI, Nov 22: The City Government has decided to launch a campaign against beggary in the last week of Ramazan and to continue it during Eid days.

The decision was taken at a meeting, chaired by the City Nazim, Naimatullah Khan, held at the committee room of the Civic Centre here on Friday. A number of EDOs and senior police officials attended the meeting.

The EDO (community development), Hashim Tareen, told the meeting that beggary had become a profession. He pointed out that beggars, thousands in number, usually storm Karachi during the last 10 days of Ramazan and the ensuing Eid days. He said that these undesired elements were sweeping through the society and create numerous social problems.

The meeting decided to an appropriate action against the professional beggars with the help of police. The meeting noted that more than 10 special camps had been set up in different parts of the city to lodge the arrested beggars. Every town administration has already been asked to set up its own camp for the purpose.

The city government will set up beggars’ camps at Clifton, Saddar, Empress Market, Tariq Road, Haidery Market, Nazimabad Chowrangi, Liaquatabad, Daak Khana, Hassan Square and other areas.

The rounded up beggars will eventually be sent to Edhi Homes, Alamgir Welfare Centre and other similar charity organizations. They can also be booked under certain laws.

The meeting acknowledged that the city government would seek assistance of various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Education Department and Boys Scouts. The district officers for social welfare, labour, civil defence, fire brigade, girls guides, police and social workers would be present at the camps, which would remain open after Iftar.

Col. (r) Ehtishamuddin has been appointed as Coordinator of the campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, the City Nazim directed the administration to start the campaign before Ramazan 20 (Nov 26).

He held out the assurance that all the departments of the city government would take part in the campaign and that all possible assistance would be provided for the purpose.—APP