LAKKI MARWAT: Scores of professional beggars were arrested and shifted to the central prison in Bannu on Friday under the provincial government’s reform agenda to make them useful citizens of the society.

“The operation was launched on the directives of deputy commissioner Muhammad Fahim Khan with the aim to discourage the menace and attract such people involved in begging practice towards a dignified life,” said an official of the district administration.

He said that during the daylong operation, the social welfare department officials along with a police party detained beggars and shifted them to the central jail.

“The beggars detained during the operation led by district social welfare officer Insafur Rehman Khattak will go through a process for their welfare, training and social rehabilitation,” he claimed.

He said the action was not aimed at punishing beggars but to make them respectable and dignified citizens of the society.

The official said that the menace of begging could be eliminated through reform, rehabilitation and training.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2025