Islamabad To Be Made 'Beggar Free Zone'

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police in partnership with experts are working on an action plan to control beggary decisively by taking comprehensive initiatives.

The issue of beggary was discussed in detail during a meeting, held in Islamabad, chaired by Inspector General of Police Qazi Jameel-ur-Rehman, stated by an official source confidential to the development.

According to him, the experts floated multiple proposals to eliminate beggary and requested to make the fully functional rehabilitation centres in Islamabad to assure the protection of children and women.

As stated by National Commission for Human Rights member Muhammad Shafique in the meeting, there are three recognized rehabilitation centres in Islamabad including Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Centre, Pakistan Centre, and Child Protection Centre.

The source told the member identified the absence of law for beggars' custody and their period of retention as the main cause for detaining a child or woman involved in beggary.

On the occasion, he said, a National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) member from ICT Dr Robina explained to the committee about the capacity and existing facilities of Islamabad’s recognized rehabilitation centres.

According to her, the Child Protection Centre Humak had the vocational training facility, but non-operational at the present and yet to be reported under ICT Child Protection Act as ‘Child Protection Institution’, the source added.

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After a detailed discussion, he stated that it was decided that a complete approach to handle the beggary would be shown at the next meeting. Besides, the participants were also requested to identify buildings for establishing a rehabilitation centre in Islamabad.