SIALKOT: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that begging has transformed into a well-organized and highly profitable profession in Pakistan and is now providing what he described as the country’s largest source of “employment.” He made these remarks while speaking to the media in Sialkot, shedding light on what he termed a deeply disturbing and criminal network operating across the country.
According to Khawaja Asif, begging is no longer an informal or individual activity driven solely by poverty. Instead, it has evolved into a structured business controlled by contractors and mafias who recruit children, women, and individuals posing as disabled persons. These contractors, he said, earn millions of rupees by exploiting vulnerable people and turning human misery into a lucrative enterprise.
The defence minister revealed that organized networks now exist solely to supply beggars. “There are proper contractors who recruit children, women, and fake disabled individuals and force them into begging,” he said. He added that these networks operate with alarming efficiency and scale, generating enormous profits while remaining largely unchecked in many areas.
Khawaja Asif further disclosed that the same begging mafias are responsible for sending thousands of beggars abroad, particularly to Gulf countries. He claimed that these individuals are transported overseas under various pretexts, where they continue begging and damaging Pakistan’s international image. “The Gulf countries have become fed up with this situation and, as a result, our visas have been restricted or closed,” he said.
He described this development as a matter of national embarrassment and warned that the actions of these criminal groups were having serious diplomatic and economic consequences for Pakistan. According to him, the misuse of visas and the export of organized begging have contributed significantly to stricter immigration policies against Pakistani citizens in several countries.
The defence minister also made serious allegations regarding corruption at airports. He claimed that staff from various government departments stationed at airports are complicit in this illegal activity and financially benefit from facilitating the movement of beggars abroad. “This dirty business involves personnel from different departments at airports who are making money from it,” he alleged.
Speaking specifically about Sialkot, Khawaja Asif said that many beggars operating in the city come from southern Punjab. He noted that they often stay in hotels while carrying out their activities, which further indicates the organized nature of the operation. “These are not homeless people living on the streets. Many of them stay in hotels and operate under the supervision of contractors,” he said.
Khawaja Asif acknowledged that recent actions by the administration and police have led to a decline in the begging business. However, he admitted that despite these operations, beggars can still be seen in various areas. “There has been some reduction due to recent crackdowns, but the presence of beggars is still visible, which shows the depth of the problem,” he added.
He also pointed out that in Sialkot, many of the contractors behind these begging networks appear to be financially well-off individuals. According to him, these people present themselves as respectable members of society. “When authorities launch a crackdown against beggars, these contractors suddenly appear as influential figures and use recommendations and pressure to protect their interests,” he said.
The defence minister stressed that such a vast and profitable business could not continue without the support or protection of local administration and police. “This business cannot operate in any city without the backing of the administration and law enforcement,” he asserted. He further warned that organized begging is often linked to other extremely serious and immoral criminal activities.
Khawaja Asif reiterated that begging has effectively become the largest provider of so-called “employment” in the country, surpassing many legitimate sectors. He described the situation as tragic and dangerous, emphasizing that it exploits the poor while enriching criminal elements. He called for sustained and uncompromising action against the entire network, including contractors, facilitators, and corrupt officials.
Concluding his remarks, the defence minister urged authorities to move beyond temporary crackdowns and adopt a comprehensive strategy to dismantle organized begging networks across the country. He emphasized that unless strong action is taken at every level, from local administrations to airports and immigration systems, this “ghastly business” will continue to flourish and damage Pakistan socially, economically, and internationally.
