KARACHI, Dec 26: The Sindh government has decided to rid the metropolis of professional beggars operating under the supervision of a “mafia”.

In view of the forthcoming Eidul Azha, one of the occasions when the mafia arranges more beggars from upcountry and interiors of the province to invade the city, the police have been directed to check their entry and haul up all professional beggars.

The directions were issued at a meeting, presided over by the Sindh chief secretary, to streamline an anti-beggary drive in the city.

Chief Secretary K.B. Rind said: “Beggars’ eradication will not only help in improving the image of the city, but also help in reaching alms to the deserving persons and alleviate their sufferings.”

Speaking to Dawn, the chief secretary said that according to a survey the beggars mafia had selected some 22 points at busy streets, roundabouts, markets, shopping centres and bus stops in the city, where the professional beggars were also provided with pick-and-drop facilities.

He said their presence at those important places was not only a menace for the citizens, but also for the foreign visitors.

Mr Rind said the government drive was not against extending a helping hand to the deserving persons and destitute families, but against the professional beggars who had been exploiting the humanitarian feelings of people. They were also indulged in various crimes, including luring children and old people into beggary, he added.

At the meeting, City Nazim Naimatullah Khan and DCO Shafiq-ur-Rehman Paracha briefed the chief secretary about the salient features of the campaign.

Mr Rind appreciated the city government’s drive and stressed the need to prepare a plan for rehabilitating the willing beggars by providing them financial and social support from Zakat Fund and Bait-ul-mal through the assistance of NGOs to make them self-reliant.

The chief secretary assured the Nazim that administrative secretaries of education, health and Board of Revenue, including other nation-building departments would extend allout support for the success of the drive.

He also asked the city government to chalk out a plan in the next 10 days for the rehabilitation of the deserving people and destitutes.

COMPLAINTS: K. B. Rind on Thursday also listened the complaints of citizens in his office about unhygienic water, and directed officials of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to stop immediately supply of contaminated water and ensure provision of potable water to the people.