Beggars swarm city ahead of Ramazan

LAHORE: Like every year, the city has beeninvaded by hordes of beggars ahead of Ramazan.

Beggars are found mostly at crowding road junctions, bus stops, railway stations and mosques, employing different tactics to get money from people.

Unemployment, poverty and easy food and money lure people to beggary. "If beggary is not tackled tactfully, the number of beggars will continue to grow," said social worker Shoukat Ali.

He added that it was the duty of the social welfare department to come up with an effective scheme to eradicate the menace.

A city district government spokesman said the issue required along term solution for which no shortcuts would serve the purpose.

The problem has to be solved on a permanent basis which will require heavy finances as well as firm implementation of relevant laws," he commented.

Various beggar groups move to different parts of the country, mostly to big cities, where the prospects of earning are brighter especially during Ramazan and Eidul Fitr.