Senate body for crackdown on beggars in Islamabad.

Byline: Iftikhar A. Khan

ISLAMABAD -- A Senate panel on Friday called for a crackdown on organised beggary networks in Islamabad and stern action against criminals who deform bodies of children and make them physically impaired in their lust for money to use them for beggary.

The Senate Standing Committee on Interior met to discuss the Islamabad Prevention of Beggary Bill 2019 moved by Senator Mohammad Atiq Sheikh.

Committee Chairman Senator A. Rehman Malik said a clause against forced deformities must be added to the bill.

He said it was against international human rights that little children were deformed after being forced to wear iron rings around their heads to make them abnormal for the malicious purpose of begging.

He suggested that a section must be added to deal with the mafia involved in the child trade for begging purposes.

A clause against forced deformities of children must be added to Islamabad Prevention of Beggary Bill 2019, Senator Rehman Malik says

He said if stringent laws were not introduced to protect the children, it can be turned into a big menace for society in future.

He directed the Ministry of Interior and the Islamabad administration to launch a crackdown on beggars and instead of the lock-ups the children should be sent to the Child Protection Centres.

He also directed that begging children should be provided with good food and proper education.

Further consideration of all the three bills moved by Senator Atiq Sheikh - Islamabad Prevention of Beggary Bill 2019, Islamabad Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2020 and the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2020 - was deferred.

The bills were referred to the Ministry of Interior with directions to examine them in coordination with the Ministry of Law and Justice and all other stockholders.

The committee also deferred consideration of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 (Act XLV of 1860) moved by Senator Azam Swati on behalf of the minister for interior due to the absence of the minister.

The committee chairman directed the Ministry of Interior to inform the minister that he should be present in the next meeting so that the bill could be discussed otherwise it would be rejected.

Considering precautionary and preventative measures being taken by the government to stop the potential spread of coronavirus in Pakistan, Senator Malik said the committee expresses its dissatisfaction over the preventative measures.

He said a task force should be formed under the chairmanship of the...