Chap#1: Reality of Beggars

(The Reality of Beggars)

The beggar mafia is spread to all major cities like Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. These criminals kidnap the needy and poor people from underdeveloped areas and force them to beg by threatening them with dire consequences. The mafias use children of young ages, adults or old people for illegal activities. They brainwash them, torture them in case of resistance, disable them physically or make them drug addicts so they may beg on the streets without any complaints. Thus, the beggars we see on the streets are basically employees who work for one mafia or the other.

Shrines dedicated to holy men are dotted across most cities and towns in Pakistan. In the folk Islam of the region, they are regarded as saints, and can attract huge numbers of worshippers, eager to pray for their blessings.

The shrines have always been a magnet for beggars, especially children, as many of the pilgrims believe giving money to the poor will increase the chance of their prayers being heard.