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Over 50,000 beggars invade Karachi

KARACHI: A record number of 50,000 beggars from all parts of the country have invaded Karachi city for soliciting Zakat and Fitra during the three days of Eid-ul-Fitr festivities that start on January 9, reports UPP correspondent.

These beggars are mostly from upcountry areas and most among them are partly or fully disabled.

A group of female beggars led by one who calls herself Zarribi interviewed by UPP correspondent revealed that it belongs to Balochistan and parts of Jacobabad.

They are destitute women whose husbands have died or are in jail. These women are left to look after themselves. Therefore, they are forced into begging. They added that they would like to settle down in a job or learn a vocation to earn living but get no support from any quarter.

When asked why they do not apply for Zakat funds under the scheme for Mustahqeen, these beggar women said that they struggled on many occasions to get themselves registered as Mustahqeen in their villages but failed.

The very large number of beggars on the roads in Karachi city also reveals that the Zakat establishment in the country has not helped in any way in reducing the number of destitute and beggars in the country.

The beggars are now thronging the entrances to the mosques and Imambargahs, various road interesections and main traffic signals to seek alms. APP