LAHORE: In a three‑day crackdown launched on the orders of the city’s Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), Lahore traffic police intensified anti‑begging operations at major intersections and traffic signals, detaining 76 people — including children and transgender persons — and shifting most to welfare centres, officials said on Saturday.
According to the traffic department, the detainees comprised 20 women, 17 men, 15 children and 24 transgender persons. Seventy were handed over to Edhi Foundation centres for shelter and rehabilitation, while six children were placed with the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau.
The raids were carried out by specialised anti‑begging teams working alongside traffic wardens to dismantle alleged professional begging networks that operate at busy signals and choke traffic flow.
“Some beggars harass citizens and persistently solicit alms at signals; action will continue against them without discrimination,” the CTO said, as authorities vowed sustained operations to curb organised begging.
Officials said identification of repeat offenders and organised rings was being aided by camera footage from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority. Citizens were urged to report professional beggars at any traffic signal or intersection via Helpline 15 so that teams can respond immediately.
Meanwhile, traffic department spokespersons defended the drive as both a road‑safety and social‑welfare measure, asserting that removing beggars from thoroughfares improves traffic movement and enables authorities to transfer vulnerable people to institutional care.
