City of Lights ‘Karachi’, highest revenue generating city of Pakistan with a populace of more than 30 million people is encountering several prolonged problems which needs attention of the concerned authorities.

Among many problems, nowadays in the holy month of Ramadan, Karachi is witnessing a hoard of professional beggars who are not only ditching a common man thru various techniques but also poses great hazard towards rising criminal activities.

It is much needed that the government, local administration and the law enforcement agencies should play an active role against initiating massive crackdowns against beggars who are actually looting the general public with fake postures and intentions. As a result of this professional begging, many deserving people are left at apathy as a lay man often fails to recognize who are the right ones to get charity while who the one’s in the faces of imposters and frauds.

Various surveys published in print media outlets reveals that major city markets including Saddar, Tariq Road, Liaquatabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karimabad, Hyderi North Nazimabad and shopping malls, food streets have been vastly occupied by these beggars of all ages who either remain present there individually or in scattered groups. This penetration of beggars in Karachi has been doubled in the month of Ramadan.

It is firmly believed that government should go ahead to bring an effective legislation to get rid of this menace once for all. On the other hand provision of shelter homes is also needed where all such beggars could be educated and trained to earn a ‘Halal’ and right livelihood for themselves and their dependents.

There are innumerable private charity initiatives in Karachi spending several hundred billion Rupees yearly. In the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) whose charity reached its peak in Ramadan, Karachi also sees its generosity peak in Ramadan. You cannot go hungry in Karachi, no matter where you are in the city at Iftar time. Everyone is welcome – fasting or not, Muslim or not.

Hundreds of thousands of additional beggars arrived in Karachi are begging during the day and feast on communal Iftars in the evening. Ramadan in Karachi is a month-long picnic for them.

This is an alarming trend as it showcases the lack of pride in our nation. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) strictly forbade professional begging. As Islam is a pragmatic religion, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) showed us a way out.“Whoever begs people for wealth in order to accumulate more riches, he is only asking for a hot coal from Hellfire. Let him ask for a little or a lot.” (Sahih Muslim 1041)

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 03 2023

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