RAWALPINDI:

Cantonment police launched a large-scale crackdown against professional beggars on Friday, arresting two contractors involved in running a begging racket and 47 beggars.

During the operation, 47 professional beggars residing in various hotels and plazas were arrested, including 14 women, 31 men, and two transgender persons. The network was also involved in exploiting young children for begging.

The arrested contractors were bringing individuals from Lahore, Ferozwala, Burewala, and Dera Ghazi Khan and forcing them into begging. They would transport beggars to designated spots and drop them off. The beggars targeted citizens, especially families and women, at markets and public places.

The arrested beggars also admitted to stealing women’s purses, mobile phones from vehicles, and other valuables. The police said that the arrested beggars were causing disruptions in markets and traffic and were a nuisance to the public.

There are reports that professional beggars are involved in crimes such as robbery, theft, and drug dealing.

Rawalpindi CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani said that 11 beggars were arrested from New Town, three from Banni, and one each from Waris Khan and Ratta Amral.