Govt to strengthen legislation against Pakistani beggars abroad
The government has planned to strengthen legislation to prevent Pakistani beggars from going abroad and implement stringent measures against migrant smuggling.
The bill seeks to amend the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018. Introduced by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri in the Senate on June 10, 2024. It aims to enhance the penalties for human trafficking offences.
The Ministry of Interior introduced the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Senate on January 28 to address migrant smuggling.
Under the proposed legislation, the government has proposed up to 10 years of prison sentence and a fine of Rs10 million for individuals involved in smuggling refugees. It also proposes a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs5 million for those preparing fraudulent documents.
The bill stated that anyone providing shelter to an illegal resident would face five years in prison and a fine of Rs2 million. In cases of inhumane treatment, injury, or death, offenders would face up to 14 years in prison and a fine of Rs10 million.
Special court formation is also proposed to expedite the trials of offenders.
The legislation has defined organised begging as “soliciting financial assistance through fraud, coercion, or manipulation, including knocking on vehicle windows or forcibly cleaning car windows.”
The bill stated that soliciting charity by displaying injuries, illnesses, or disabilities constituted organised begging. It highlighted concerns over certain Pakistanis involved in begging during pilgrimage trips for Hajj, Umrah, or Ziyarat, promising strict action against these gangs.
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