KARACHI: The city administration has decided to launch an integrated crackdown on professional beggars, haphazard parking, and traffic congestion across the metropolis to ensure a smooth experience for shoppers ahead of Eidul Fitr.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi and attended by all deputy commissioners (DCs) and assistant commissioners (ACs) of the city’s seven districts.
According to a spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office, the administration has formed special teams under the supervision of ACs to clear major intersections and shopping hubs. These teams, comprising personnel from the Municipal Corporation, town administrations, and both traffic and local police, will work in coordination to maintain order in high-density areas.
MM News has learnt that a key feature of the plan includes the establishment of support camps in busy markets and commercial centers. These camps, set up with police assistance, are intended to guide shoppers and provide a platform for the immediate redressal of complaints regarding harassment by beggars or parking issues.
The Commissioner directed the DCs to ensure that professional beggars are not “visible” around markets and shopping malls, noting that their presence often causes distress and hinders the movement of citizens.
In what appears to be a shift in the administration’s 2025-2026 policy, the meeting resolved to move beyond simple arrests. It was decided that apprehended beggars would be handed over to welfare organizations such as Saylani and JDC for rehabilitation.
The Commissioner emphasized that those handed over to NGOs must be provided with basic necessities and facilities. The DCs have been tasked with submitting daily reports to the Commissioner’s Office regarding the number of individuals transferred to these welfare centers.
The meeting was informed that the ongoing campaign has already seen significant activity. According to data released by the Commissioner’s Office last week, 144 professional beggars were arrested across the city in the last 10 days alone. Of these, FIRs were lodged against 30 individuals under the relevant laws.
“While the administration continues to intensify its efforts, observers remain skeptical about the impact of these figures of 144 arrests in a megacity like Karachi, where influential syndicates are known to transport thousands of beggars from other parts of the country during the holy month of Ramadan.”
The Commissioner, however, stressed that the current drive would remain focused and consistent, particularly in the South, East, and Central districts, to break the hold of organized begging networks.
