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LAHORE: The Punjab government has ordered a province-wide crackdown against organized professional begging networks, with Lahore set to become the first “Beggar-Free City” under a coordinated enforcement campaign. The decision came during a meeting chaired by Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi at the Home Department. Authorities directed relevant departments to develop a joint strategy to identify professional beggars, expose the networks operating behind them, and take action against those who force vulnerable people into begging. The Punjab Safe Cities Authority and traffic police have received special assignments to help identify and dismantle the begging mafia’s network. Officials will use modern technology, surveillance tools and human intelligence to locate key hotspots and track repeat offenders. Dr Qazi stressed that authorities must take strict action against handlers who exploit children, women and elderly people for begging. He said the government had introduced legal amendments to increase penalties and fines and discourage organized begging networks. Under the amended Punjab Vagrancy Ordinance 1958, forcing someone to beg constitutes a non-bailable offence. The home secretary directed authorities to ensure strong prosecution of arrested members of the begging mafia so that cases result in effective convictions. The meeting also called for the creation of a centralized database of professional beggars who face repeated arrests. Officials will also maintain updated records of needy and destitute people who seek assistance at welfare homes. Dr Qazi instructed authorities to identify begging hotspots across Lahore and conduct targeted operations at these locations. He further emphasized the need for close coordination among all relevant departments to eliminate organized begging networks. The government also plans to strengthen welfare homes and turn them into support centers for vulnerable members of society. Officials will improve arrangements for food, healthcare and accommodation while providing education to children staying at these facilities. The welfare homes will also offer vocational training to help deserving individuals develop skills and achieve financial independence instead of relying on begging. Dr Qazi urged civil society organizations to play an active role in supporting vulnerable communities. The home secretary appealed to citizens to report professional begging networks to police at 15. He assured the public that the authorities would keep the identities of informants confidential. The meeting was attended by Social Welfare Secretary Saira Umar, Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan, Director General Social Welfare Dr Shahenshah Faisal, Director General Probation and Parole Shahid Iqbal, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Burana, Additional Secretary Judicial Abdul Rauf, Lahore Chief Traffic Officer Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi, AIG Sarfraz Warak, Deputy Prosecutor General Dr Usman Iqbal, Civil Defence Director Tasneem Ali Khan, along with officials from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, FIA, School Education Department and Health Department.