Police detain alleged ‘wealthy beggar’ in Karachi

KARACHI: Police in Karachi have arrested a man described as a “wealthy beggar” after allegedly recovering a significant amount of cash from his possession.

According to officials, the suspect, identified as Akbar, was taken into custody from the Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood. Officers said they were surprised by the volume of money discovered in his bag and shopping carrier.

The seized cash reportedly included currency notes ranging from Rs10 to Rs5,000, with an entire shopping bag filled solely with Rs10 notes. Additional personnel were summoned to the station house officer’s office to help count the recovered amount.

Police stated that the man is originally from Bahawalpur and had been begging in several areas of the city, including Gulshan-e-Memar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Nazimabad. Authorities confirmed that a case is being registered against him.

In a separate development, the district administration in Islamabad has stepped up its crackdown on professional begging during the holy month of Ramadan.

Over the past 24 hours, 42 individuals were taken into custody as part of an ongoing campaign targeting begging at public spaces. Operations were conducted on major roads, traffic intersections and in markets across the capital, supported by surveillance systems to enhance monitoring.

Officials said the special drive will continue throughout Ramazan in response to the increasing presence of organised beggars at busy locations.