LAHORE: On the order of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, the Child Protection Welfare Bureau (CPWB) has launched a crackdown on begging children across Punjab on Saturday.
Sources said more than 100 begging children were taken into custody from areas including Muslim Town Mor, Kalma Chowk, Barkat Market, Mall Road, Defense, Main Market and Gulberg area.
According to sources, rescue operations in different areas of Lahore were conducted by CPWB Chairperson Sara Ahmed along with Provincial Human Rights Minister Ejaz Alam Augustine, CPWB Director-General Shuja Bhatti and others.
Sara Ahmed said that rescue operation against begging children was being carried out in all district offices of CPWB across Punjab.
Sara further said as a result of these operations, the number of begging children has decreased. Joint teams of the CPWB and the Police Department are taking part in the rescue operation against the beggars.
“These rescue operations will continue till the end of the beggar mafia. We must all work together to make Lahore a beggar-free city,” she added.
In a letter to all police officials concerned, CM Punjab said beggary was not only a social evil but also a security risk as it provides an opportunity to the saboteurs to operate in the guise of beggars.
He stressed the need for strict action to curb their activities, adding during the last 24 hours several professional beggars were taken into custody.
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