The Child Protection & Welfare Bureau Punjab conducted a Grand Rescue Operation in coordination with Police in Shera Kot & Babu Sabu Interchange, Lahore and arrested a 04 member gang who were reportedly involved in the deployment of children for begging. An FIR is lodged against the accused under section 36 of the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act. This operation was conducted in connection to child beggary gang busting strategy adopted by the Bureau on the direction of Sarah Ahmad, Chairperson.
Child Protection and Welfare Bureau has already launched a massive anti-child beggary campaign in all functional Districts of Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Punjab i.e. Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and rescued 1295 children during last two weeks in which most of the children were child beggars. Sarah Ahmad, Chairperson told. Sarah Ahmad told, According to the investigation, begging is an organised crime and is a major cause of abuse and exploitation of children which is putting them on streets. The Bureau received reports that child beggars are deployed at different spots by different gangs or ring leaders and every child involved in begging is bound to give a certain amount to gang leader or ring leader. Child Protection and Welfare Bureau, Punjab has formulated a spontaneous and continuous action against such abusers to provide children of the Province a safe heaven to live. Action against gangs and mafias will be an ongoing activity of the Bureau. The Bureau will coordinate with all stakeholders including police and other institutions in order to curb this menace, Chairperson Child Protection & Welfare Bureau Punjab, Sara Ahmad uttered.