LAHORE: With few days left in Eidul Fitr, loads of professional beggars have flocked the markets, major roads, Ramazan bazaars, traffic signals and shopping malls to seek fortunes. The beggars of all age group can be seen seeking alms outside mosques after prayers and at markets, especially after iftar, as scores of people head to markets for Eid shopping in the evening. Also they make their presence felt at traffic signals and other major roads and use different ways to seek alms from commuters. But the story doesn’t end here as several begging rackets, already existing in the city, become active as Eid draws nearer. These begging rackets define their respective areas while special persons are deployed to monitor their activities and “earnings” on special occasions like Eid, said a 28-year-old woman who seeks alms on Jail Road. Ayesha, an 8-year-old girl who seeks alms on Ferozepur Road, told Daily Times that no one from his family was educated and this was the best way to eke out a living. “I come here daily from Manga Mandi along with my mother, 11-year-old brother and a younger sister to seek alms as this is the best way to earn a square meal,” she told Daily Times. To add to the misery, police and authorities concerned are least bothered about the social evil and seldom take action against professional beggars leaving little for those needy. Talking to Daily Times, Search For Justice Executive Director and child rights activist Iftikhar Mubarik said, “Our government is not giving paying attention to control this stigma. Unfortunately, no comprehensive data is available with us.” He added that this issue was related to the Child Protection Welfare Bureau (CPWB), which was not working in a proper manner. When contacted, a CPWB official said that there was no information available on child baggers or “missing children”. “Our teams are cracking down on child begging and launching raids in different areas of the city as per the strategy. Several attempts were made to contact Imran Maqbool, the public relations officer (PRO) of the Lahore deputy commissioner for official comments, but he did not answer the phone calls. Published in Daily Times, June 10th 2018.