- Pakistan has 38 million beggars, receiving Rs 32 billion daily, creating a $42 billion economic drain yearly
Since the existence of human society, begging has been initiated as social practice. For human society, it is viewed as one of the oldest challenges. Though, there is no any evidence is revealed that begging is existed in primitive societies because of close social ties and strong family system and the weaker social structure and family support system had the foundation of begging as a social problem.
Begging remains a glaring reminder of poverty in Pakistan. For many, offering a few rupees to beggars seems like an act of kindness, but this well-intentioned gesture fails to address the root causes of poverty. Instead of offering relief, it entrenches people in a dependency, stifling progress. The economy of begging is the main reason behind the problem. As per the centre for business and society in our country, the money received by begging exceeds the money earned by unskilled labourers in most cases.
Statistics showed that a beggar can earn up to Rs 950 in Islamabad, Rs 1,400 in Lahore and Rs 2,000 in Karachi. The national average may come to PKR 850. Unskilled labour may find it difficult to earn this much in these cities. In a country with a population of 230 million, about 38 million are beggars. It may come to $42 billion yearly. This is as much as 12 per cent of the Pakistani GDP. On the other hand, the World Bank has examined in a report in 2023 that 40 per cent of Pakistan’s population lives below the poverty line, which is $3.65 per day. It has the lowest per capita income in the South East Asia. According to this report, about 84.5 per cent of Pakistanis earn less than $6.85 per day. On the other hand, in a report submitted by the Ministry of Planning and Development in the National Assembly of Pakistan, about 24.3 percent or 55 million Pakistanis are below the poverty line.
It is recorded that a beggar’s daily income in our country can sometimes surpass that of a child labourer, raising serious questions about societal values and the worth assigned to honest work. With a population exceeding 240 million, Pakistan is home to an estimated 38 million beggars. Statistics revealed that beggars in Pakistan collectively receive Rs32 billion in charity every day. If accurate, this translates to an astonishing Rs11.7 trillion yearly, or $42 billion. This issue presents a troubling paradox: 38 million non-productive individuals are consuming $42 billion yearly, while the rest of the population struggles with soaring inflation. Such statistics analyzed the massive economic drain caused through the culture of begging.
The begging problem unluckily, has also attracted international attention, mainly in Saudi Arabia, where authorities have expressed concern over the rising number of Pakistani beggars. In a recent Senate committee session, it was recorded that 90 percent of beggars arrested abroad – chiefly in Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq – are Pakistani. This not only raises serious concerns about human trafficking but also tarnishes Pakistan’s international image. Many of these individuals misuse Umrah visas, hoping for better opportunities, only to find themselves trapped in poverty in foreign lands. In July, the government of Pakistan planned to block the passports of over 2,000 beggars, aiming to curb this damaging trend. These Pakistani beggars earn chiefly during Umrah, the pilgrimage of the holy places by Muslims around the year. According to an estimate, they earn about $20 or Saudi Riyal 75, equivalent to Rs 5,400.
Statistics also examined that UAE and Qatar are other countries, chosen by Pakistani beggars to earn some money. While 1.60 million Pakistanis live in the UAE, about 200,000 live in Qatar.
The way charity within Pakistan, is dispensed often exacerbates the problem. People frequently give money to beggars without considering the long-term consequences, making begging appear more lucrative than honest work. From seeking employment and reinforces dependency, this practice discourages people. We to address poverty effectively, need to rethink how we give. Random handouts do not tackle poverty. Instead of fueling the begging economy, donations should be directed towards individuals striving to make an honest living. Supporting individuals not only meets immediate needs but also promotes long-term solutions. Surprisingly, handouts alone cannot solve poverty, as beggars are likely to return to the streets the next day. A more comprehensive approach is needed by the government of Pakistan, addressing deeper issues such as lack of education, limited job opportunities and weak social safety nets.
By tackling these systemic problems, the number of people who feel compelled to beg can be wisely reduced. Poverty reduction requires structural reforms that ensure education, employment and support systems, offering people alternatives to begging. Pakistan’s approach to charity requires a fundamental shift. Instead of giving impulsively to beggars, we must focus on supporting those actively working to improve their lives. The government of Pakistan must announce its decision to intensify legal action against people living below the poverty line in Pakistan. Before Ramzan-2025, there is an urgent need to design and implement a comprehensive urban policy in order to control and the begging practice in the city as the numbers of beggars increase in this holy month of Ramazan.