Pakistan, with a population exceeding 240 million, is home to a staggering 38 million beggars. Among them, 12% are men, 55% are women, 27% are children, and the remaining 6% are individuals forced into begging while donning white robes. Approximately 50% of these beggars are concentrated in Karachi, 16% in Lahore, 7% in Islamabad, and the rest scattered across other cities. The daily average income for a beggar is around 2,000 rupees in Karachi, 1,400 rupees in Lahore, and 950 rupees in Islamabad. Nationally, the average income for a beggar stands at 850 rupees per day.
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In the daily pursuit of alms, these beggars collectively extract a staggering 32 billion rupees from the pockets of the populace annually. In dollar terms, this amounts to approximately 42 billion dollars annually. Supporting beggars without offering them gainful employment perpetuates a cycle of dependency, costing our economy an annual loss of 21% due to inflation. The country’s progress is hindered when the immense potential of 38 million individuals is not harnessed for productive purposes.
In contrast, providing employment opportunities for beggars, even in menial tasks, could generate an expected income of 38 billion dollars annually. This not only has the potential to strengthen our economy but also offers dignified livelihoods to the existing beggar population.
While some may choose to endure a life of hardship amidst rising costs, for those desiring economic stability and a peaceful life for their children, bidding farewell to beggary is a crucial decision. In five years, you could look back at your choice without regret, witnessing the flourishing lives of your children. Bangladesh, on the day it bid farewell to the beggar system, amassed reserves worth 52 billion dollars within a mere four years. Can we not emulate such positive endeavors and constructive actions?
The power to decide a better future for your children lies in your hands. Let’s choose progress over perpetuation and break the cycle of beggary today. In doing so, you’ll likely witness the blossoming of a prosperous and content life for your children in the years to come.