Beggars At Road Crossings Interrupt Smooth Traffic Flow: Report

As the traffic flow at all the city roads was increasing day by day and maintaining such important task was subject to curb the presence of beggars at every signals causing a state of frustration for the commuters as well as a road safety threat for commuters.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :As the traffic flow at all the city roads was increasing day by day and maintaining such important task was subject to curb the presence of beggars at every signals causing a state of frustration for the commuters as well as a road safety threat for commuters.

A report aired by a private news channel said, "Professional beggary is becoming a social menace as more and more beggars including physically fit, healthy and young men, women and children are turning towards this profession".

In different parts of the country including Federal capital begging has become a profession as almost at every signal, everyone is greeted by beggars in a sympathetic manner.

According to motorists, almost at every traffic stop, one is greeted by beggars. They gather around a car as soon as it stops at a signal.

"This category of beggars appears time and again on the traffic signals especially at Double Road. They hang around traffic lights and harass motorists.

The most awful thing is that they encourage their children to beg also and most of them are physically fit to work, citizens said, adding, they can do manual labour if they so desire. Instead, women carry their babies and beg while making emotionally blackmailing statements as if they are well trained in the art.

"It is sad to see Infants begging at busy traffic signals, it is risky and creates inconvenience to motorists", said, Danish Ali a commuter.

Child right activist suggested, healthy beggars should be made to work and disabled ones should be taken care off at by the welfare system. The authorities should take steps and save the people from the nuisance that is poverty.

A 32 year old Hanifa Bibi, mother of five begging, says she does so to support her family and an addict husband who does not work.

An official of the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) said that various campaigns were launched previously to curb such menace but unfortunately such elements returns after a few days of action.

He said, many adults and children begging at signal junctions,when vehicles stop owing to red signal. They continue to beg even after the signal turns green,causing traffic congestion. This was risky.

He adds that people should have to change such phenomenon by not giving alms to such fake people added that if no one will give them money at the signals then there are chances that such practice will automatically will end up permanently.

A citizen Javed Kamran said, sometimes these children wash the windscreen of the car without being told to do so. Once they are at it, they will not stop however annoyed you are.

After cleaning, they ask for money for whatever service they think they have done. What has happened to laws pertaining to child abuse? and stop exploitation of children through the business of beggary, he appealed.

Another motorist Ali Ikram said, these beggars move in between the vehicles to seek alms or sells their goods (ranging from flowers to mobile or car accessories) and interrupt smooth flow of traffic, especially at signals.

"Children being carried by begging adults at traffic signals are drugged so that they stay quiet. The risk of accidents is not the only danger facing children who beg at the signals. They could be easily enticed into a life of crime. The girls run a high risk of being lured into prostitution." said a commuter Sadia Kanwal.

A student said, a comprehensive campaign to eliminate this social evil needs to be launched by the city administration, which, no doubt, will be encouraged and supported by the citizens.

A comprehensive awareness campaign should also be launched to educate the general masses that professional beggars must be discouraged, he said.