*Summary of “Business of Begging” (Editorial), Published in Dawn on May 16th, 2025* *Detailed Summary:* The editorial addresses the *embarrassing issue* of Pakistan becoming an *exporter of beggars*, with *over 5,000 deported* from *Saudi Arabia* in the past *16 months* and others expelled from *Iraq*, *UAE*, *Qatar*, and *Malaysia*. The *interior minister* revealed in *parliament* that *52%* of these deportees are from *Sindh*, followed by *Punjab* and *Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)*. Foreign governments’ *visa crackdowns* and *public shaming* through deportations highlight Pakistan’s failure to address the *begging crisis* domestically. While placing *4,000 beggars* on the *Exit Control List (ECL)* seems proactive, it only tackles the *symptom*, not the *root causes*: *governance failures*, *entrenched poverty*, and *lack of employment opportunities*. The *begging mafia*, generating *billions annually* with *millions of beggars* nationwide, operates as a *well-oiled economy*. The editorial calls for a *multi-pronged approach*: cracking down on *trafficking networks*, rehabilitating beggars through *skill development*, *microfinance*, and *social welfare programs*, and establishing *vocational centers* in *Karachi*, *interior Sindh*, and *south Punjab*, where begging is rampant. It urges *strict penalties* for exploiters, stronger *child protection units*, and *anti-begging awareness campaigns* by *provincial governments*. The public must recognize that their *charity* fuels *criminal exploitation*. Ending this *disgraceful business* requires urgent action to restore Pakistan’s dignity. *Easy/Short Summary:* Pakistan faces *shame* as *5,000+ beggars* were deported from *Saudi Arabia* and other countries. *52%* are from *Sindh*. The *begging mafia* thrives on *poverty* and *governance failures*, earning *billions*. Placing *4,000* on the *ECL* isn’t enough. The editorial demands *crackdowns* on *trafficking*, *rehabilitation* via *skills* and *welfare*, *vocational centers* in *Sindh* and *Punjab*, *child protection*, and *awareness campaigns* to end this *exploitative economy*. *Solutions to the Problem:* 1. *Crack Down on Trafficking* Target *begging mafia networks* with *law enforcement operations*, similar to *Afghan deportation drives*. 2. *Rehabilitate Beggars* Launch *skill development* and *microfinance programs* to integrate beggars into the workforce. 3. *Establish Vocational Centers* Set up *training facilities* in *Karachi*, *interior Sindh*, and *south Punjab* to offer *job skills*. 4. *Strengthen Child Protection* Enhance *provincial child protection units* to rescue *children* forced into begging. 5. *Impose Strict Penalties* Enforce *heavy fines* and *jail terms* for those exploiting *vulnerable groups*. 6. *Launch Awareness Campaigns* Educate the public via *community programs* to stop *charity* to *criminal begging rings*. 7. *Expand Social Welfare* Increase *Benazir Income Support Programme* coverage to reduce *poverty-driven begging*. 8. *Create Jobs* Promote *SME development* to generate *employment* in *high-begging areas*. 9. *Monitor Borders* Tighten *visa checks* to prevent *traffickers* from sending beggars abroad. 10. *Engage NGOs* Partner with *civil society* to monitor and rehabilitate *begging communities*. *Important Facts and Figures Given in the Article:* - *Over 5,000 beggars* deported from *Saudi Arabia* in the last *16 months*. - Deportations also from *Iraq*, *UAE*, *Qatar*, and *Malaysia*. - *52%* of deportees are from *Sindh*, followed by *Punjab* and *KP*. - *4,000 beggars* placed on the *Exit Control List (ECL)*. - *Millions of beggars* generate *billions of rupees* annually. - Begging is prevalent in *Karachi*, *interior Sindh*, and *south Punjab*. *Important Facts and Figures Out of the Article:* - *Saudi Arabia* deported *3,000 beggars* in *2024 alone*, per *web:8*. - *Pakistan* has *7-9 million beggars*, per *2023 SPARC report* (*web:12*). - Begging generates *PKR 200-300 billion* annually, per *web:15*. - *Sindh* contributes *60%* of *child beggars* sent abroad, per *web:20*. - *UAE* deported *1,200 Pakistani beggars* in *2024*, per *web:6*. - *Begging mafias* earn *PKR 10,000-15,000* per beggar monthly, per *web:9*. *MCQs from the Article:* 1. *How many beggars were deported from Saudi Arabia in 16 months?* A. 3,000 *B. 5,000+* C. 4,000 D. 6,000 *Answer: B. 5,000+* 2. *What percentage of deported beggars are from Sindh?* A. 40% *B. 52%* C. 60% D. 75% *Answer: B. 52%* 3. *What is a root cause of the begging crisis, per the article?* A. Overpopulation *B. Entrenched poverty* C. Education gaps D. Urbanization *Answer: B. Entrenched poverty* 4. *Where are vocational centers proposed to combat begging?* A. Lahore and Peshawar *B. Karachi and south Punjab* C. Islamabad and Quetta D. Multan and Hyderabad *Answer: B. Karachi and south Punjab* 5. *What exploits the public’s charitable spirit, per the article?* A. NGOs *B. Begging mafia* C. Government D. Religious groups *Answer: B. Begging mafia* *Vocabulary:* 1. *Embarrassment* (شرمندگی) – Shame or humiliation 2. *Deported* (جلاوطن) – Expelled from a country 3. *Booted* (نکال دیا) – Forcibly removed 4. *Shaming* (شرمندہ کرنا) – Publicly humiliating 5. *Decisive* (فیصلہ کن) – Resolving or conclusive 6. *Entrenched* (جڑا ہوا) – Deeply established 7. *Viable* (قابل عمل) – Practical or feasible 8. *Well-oiled* (منظم) – Efficiently organized 9. *Crackdown* (کریک ڈاؤن) – Strict enforcement action 10. *Trafficking* (سمگلنگ) – Illegal trade or transport 11. *Vigour* (جوش) – Energy or intensity 12. *Rehabilitate* (بحال کرنا) – Restore or reintegrate 13. *Microfinance* (چھوٹا قرض) – Small-scale financial services 14. *Pronounced* (واضح) – Noticeable or evident 15. *Exploit* (استحصال) – Take advantage of unfairly 16. *Sustained* (مسلسل) – Continuous or prolonged 17. *Charitable* (خیراتی) – Related to giving aid 18. *Criminals* (مجرم) – Lawbreakers or offenders 19. *Disgraceful* (شرمناک) – Shameful or dishonorable 20. *Tackle* (نمٹنا) – Address or deal with *📢 Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 *⚡ Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) www.dawn.com Business of begging Editorial 2 - 3 minutes Listen to article IT is a matter of deep embarrassment that Pakistan has become an ‘exporter’ of beggars. Over 5,000 have been deported from Saudi Arabia alone in the last 16 months, while others have been booted out of Iraq, the UAE, Qatar and Malaysia. These and other numbers were shared recently by the interior minister while responding to a question in parliament. He disclosed that nearly 52pc of these deportees hail from Sindh, followed by Punjab and KP. With foreign governments tightening their visa regimes and publicly shaming us by deporting such large numbers, one must ask: what is our own government doing to tackle this crisis at home? While placing over 4,000 beggars on the Exit Control List may appear as decisive action, it addresses only the symptom, not the cause. The reality is that the ‘begging mafia’ thrives not only due to governance failures but also entrenched poverty and the state’s inability to generate viable employment. With millions of beggars across the country reportedly pulling in billions per year, this is not just a social ill, it is a well-oiled economy. We must break this cycle. To begin with, a crackdown is needed on trafficking networks. If the ‘illegal’ Afghans were rounded up with such vigour, so can such trafficking rings. In addition, the government must rehabilitate those forced into begging through skill development, microfinance initiatives, and targeted social welfare programmes. It would also do well to establish vocational centres in Karachi, interior Sindh and south Punjab, where organised begging is most pronounced. The authorities must impose strict penalties on those who exploit the vulnerable for profit. Provincial governments must play their part by strengthening child protection units and launching sustained anti-begging awareness campaigns at the community level. The public should also realise that their charitable spirit is being exploited by criminals. This disgraceful ‘business’ must end. Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2025