Lahore HC directs Punjab province to control fast- spreading beggar mafia –

Pakistan’s Lahore High Court today directed authorities of Punjab province to take immediate steps to curb the fast-spreading beggar mafia, including through the development of a mobile application. The court also criticised the provincial government for failing to apply enacted laws to curb beggary in the province. The court said, while the laws to curb beggary in Punjab province are already in place, the provincial government departments had failed to enforce and implement the court’s orders.The provincial government’s cabinet division recently approved the anti-begging law, making it a non-bailable offence throughout the Punjab province. As per the law, beggar mafia will be nabbed and punished for a maximum for at least eight years, along with a fine of at least five lakh rupees.