SAMBRIAL - Hundreds of professional peddlers and beggars have swarmed city streets as they know that people have to give money in the month of Ramazan. The holy month of Ramazan is a time of their business, although it is a month of fasting and piety. Hundreds of professional beggars can be seen on different inter-sections, bus stops and streets seeking alms. The menace of professional beggary is gaining momentum in the month of Ramazan as every Muslim try to give more and more Sadqa, Zakat and Fitrana during the holy month.
Nazia, the mother of three kids said that she relies on people’s charitable mood during the holy month as she has to get money for her sick children. In Ramazan people give money generously. So I usually ask for help in Ramazan, she said
Ten-year-old Ahmad, who sells sweets and gums near a traffic signal, said the holidays were time to work rather than rest as his father ask him to spend several hours selling gum to motorists.
“Most of the people give me money and do not take the gum,” he said, adding that his two brothers often join him to peddle at night.
“We urge people not to give money to beggars as that will only increase their number, said an official of authorities concerned. We are aware that people want to be charitable in Ramazan and help the poor, but they can donate money to orphanages and charities as they cannot tell if a beggar is actually needy”, he added.
Rizwan, an English teacher said that people should use different outlets to give back to the less fortunate. People can donate to flood victims or feed the poor during Ramadan and that is much better than giving money to a beggar, who might in fact be wealthy, said that Mobeen, a resident of Daska. Several NGOs and other institutions are working for the rehabilitation of beggars so to eradicate this menace from the society.
Reportedly, 90 percent of these beggars were professional and that reached here to enjoy “luxurious life” in Sambrial from the other parts of the country.
Ironically, there was no official check on these beggars by police and other law enforcing agencies due to which the criminal activities were also on rise in the above areas.
Several female beggars were also found involved in theft and other criminal activities in Sambrial city. The local people have expressed grave concern over the critical situation. They said that the police, district administration and the NGOs were doing nothing to curb the menace of beggary.
They appealed Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Gujranwala Division Commissioner Abdul Jabbar Shaheen and Sialkot DCO Zahid Saleem Gondal to look into the matter solved the problem on permanent basis.