INCREASING

CHILD
BEGGARY
Usama Mubashir & Karim
INTRODUCTION:
IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON SIGHT TO SEE CHILDREN
BEGGING ON THE STREETS IN PAKISTAN. ONE WILL FIND
MANY KINDS BEGGING ON THE RAILWAY STATIONS, IN
MARKETS, PARKS AND MANY PUBLIC AREAS. THIS
SITUATION IS OF SEVERE REGRET THAT THE CHILDREN
THAT DESERVE TO HAVE A CHILDHOOD ARE LEFT ON
STREETS TO SPOIL THEIR WHOLE LIFE WITH AN
EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD TEACH THEM HELPLESSNESS.
STATEMENT
The increase in child beggary in Pakistan is
unspeakable. The major role is played by Begging
Mafia, it has such a strong hold on streets and signals
of Pakistan that no law is able to track them down and
they are taking the advantage of this and are forcing
children to do whatever they are told. Moreover the
lack of government interest is also provoking the
Mafia to use these children as a tool to earn a good
business on daily basis.
 PURPOSE:

 The increase in child beggary in Pakistan is unspeakable. The major role is played by
Begging Mafia, it has such a strong hold on streets and signals of Pakistan that no law is
able to track them down and they are taking the advantage of this and are forcing
children to do whatever they are told. Moreover the lack of government interest is also
provoking the Mafia to use these children as a tool to earn a good business on daily basis.
METHODS
 Primary Sources:
 Questionnaires
 Observations
 Secondary Sources:
 Journals
 Websites
 Books
 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
The data was collected using questionnaire technique, the results are presented at the end of the research, every
question and its respondents data is presented with the help of pie chart. The exhibit 1 portrays that 40.9% of the
people prefer giving money to child beggars, 13.6% to female beggars and 45.5% to old aged beggars. When the
frequency of child beggary encounters was questioned in exhibit 2, 45.5% believed they encountered around 10-
15 child beggars, 13.6% people encountered 15-25, and 40.9% believed that they see 5-10 child beggars on
average on streets, on daily basis. While the average age of child beggars in people observation in exhibit 3 was 9-
12 years according to 63.9% people, 4-8 years according to 27.3% respondents, and 13 — 16 years in accordance
to 9.1% respondents. According to exhibit 4 86.4% respondents believe 25-40% of the beggary includes child
beggary, whereas 9.1% believe 50-60% are included in child beggary, and 5% believe 15-25% are the child
beggars. Exhibit 5 is very interesting, when respondents gave an idea about how much do the child beggars earn
on the daily basis, 36.4% believed child beggars earn Rs.600-1000, 27.3% believe Rs.400-600 and 36.4% believe
they earn Rs.200-400. In a month according to them they earn 12000-30000 rupees. Exhibit 6 required
respondents to express their view about the causes of child beggary, 59.1% believed it is due to beggary mafia,
however, 22.7 and 18.2% believed that the reasons are parent attitude and government respectively. Respondents
were also asked questions to figure out solutions, in response in exhibit 7 59.1% respondents believed laws can
minimize child beggary, 31.8% suggested that charity could minimize the problem and 9.1% said minimizing can
be done by banning child beggars. They were then asked if they as a society feel responsible for the increase in the
problem, in exhibit 8 45.5% of people answered maybe, and 36% believed yes they are responsible, however,
18.2% answered no, and they cannot be responsible for such a thing.
CONCLUSION
While people think problem has risen from the depth of the society due to beggary mafia,
they also believe it shall be minimized by the use of law, however, few sorted that charity
could be a good cause too in order to minimize the beggary mafia. Although charity could
do a lot, education can always do more. Eradicating a social evil from its roots is a long
term plan; however, it can be started.
 Questionnaire:

 1 - Who do you prefer giving money to on roadsides and traffic signals?

 Old Age beggars

 Child Beggars

 Female Beggars

 2 - How many child beggars you see on daily basis?

 5 - 10

 10 - 15

 15 - 25

 3 - What is the average age of those child beggars you see on roadsides?

 4 years - 8 years

 9 years - 12 years

 13 years - 16 years

 4 - What do you think is the percentage of child beggars in Pakistan?

 5 - How much do you think these beggars earn on daily basis?

 Rs.200 - 400

 Rs. 400 - 600

 Rs. 600 - 1000

  

 6 - What according to you is the main reason of child beggary in Pakistan?

 Government

 Begging Mafia

 Parents or Guardians Attitude

  

 7 - What should be done to minimize Child Beggary?

 By implementing laws

 By banning child beggars

 By giving a fix amount to these poor/needy families

  

 8 - Do you hold yourself responsible for this increase in child beggary?

 Yes

 No

 Maybe
 9.Does illiteracy in pakistan is main cause of child labour\ child exploitation?

 Yes

 no

 10.What do think about child protection policy in pakistan?

 a)There are no policies

 b) there are policies but weak

 C) it is not in interest of government\ not a problem