Minister Highlights Alarming Statistics and International Implications of Begging
Key Takeaways:
- Pakistan has 22.5 million beggars, earning a total of 42 billion rupees monthly.
- A significant number of beggars in the UAE are Pakistani women.
- Begging has become a profitable business, with some individuals and families involved in organized begging operations internationally.
Money Matters Monitoring Desk — April 20, 2025 — A recent statement by Federal Minister for Defense, Khawaja Asif, while speaking on a private TV channel, shed light on the escalating issue of begging in Pakistan, revealing that the country is home to an estimated 22.5 million beggars who collectively earn 42 billion rupees each month.
The minister also highlighted the concerning presence of Pakistani women among beggars in the United Arab Emirates. This indicates a potential outflow of individuals engaged in begging activities beyond Pakistan’s borders.
Khawaja Asif shared anecdotes from London, illustrating the extent to which begging has transformed into a lucrative enterprise. One story described a family of beggars living in a large house and owning cars, while another detailed a woman who would change into beggar’s clothes to solicit alms, with her entire family participating in the operation. These accounts suggest the existence of organized begging networks that operate across international boundaries.
Begging has become a profitable business, with some individuals and families involved in organized begging operations internationally.
The minister concluded that begging has evolved into a profitable business, particularly for Pakistani women in the UAE. This situation calls for immediate attention and effective policy interventions to address the root causes of begging and prevent its further exploitation.
