By Akhunzada Fazle Haq
MARDAN : The growing presence of professional beggars at major roads, busy intersections and key public places in Mardan has added to the difficulties faced by citizens, while the alleged lack of effective measures by the Social Welfare Department and Dar-ul-Kafala authorities has raised concerns among residents.
According to citizens, beggars have established a persistent presence at various intersections and busy thoroughfares across the city, affecting traffic flow and causing inconvenience to pedestrians and other commuters. They said the repeated and insistent solicitation of money at public places had become a source of distress for residents.
Citizens have questioned the performance of the relevant departments, stressing the need for a comprehensive strategy to curb professional begging while ensuring the identification, assistance and rehabilitation of genuinely deserving individuals. They expressed concern that no visible and effective measures had been taken to address the situation.
The residents urged the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chief Secretary, Commissioner Mardan Division Muhammad Ali Shah and Deputy Commissioner Mardan Shah Saud to take immediate notice of the issue and direct the relevant authorities to implement practical measures to discourage professional begging.
They further called for deserving individuals to be identified and provided with appropriate government assistance and rehabilitation facilities, emphasising that coordinated action was essential to ease public inconvenience and maintain order at the city’s busy intersections and public places.
