“End Up on the Streets”: an Evidence-based Study on Street-begging and Poverty in Sialkot, Pakistan

Abstract

The rapid development in 21^st century not only gave birth to urbanization but also accompanied emergence of slums in cities. Now days, one of the phenomena grabbing serious attention of social scientists is the association between street – begging and poverty not just in developing countries but also in the developed ones. This research paper intends to analyze the relationship that occurs between street – begging and poverty as a social issue, leading towards its prevention approaches. The study site was Sialkot, a city of province Punjab, Pakistan. It was descriptive cross – sectional and a quantitative approach in its nature. For primary data collection, descriptive survey and designed questionnaire was administered to One hundred and thirty respondent street – beggars chosen randomly from various public places in city. The data analysis phased employed simple descriptive statistics. Finally, an attempt has been made by recommending in form of a road map in order to prevent the city’s discomfort. Findings reveal that majority of beggars are poor, illiterate and needy. They make both ends meet by begging at several spaces and are deprived of generous helping hands. Moreover, begging is a consequence of several factors i.e. poverty, parental loss, physical challenges, unemployment – to name just a few. Furthermore, the recommendations include incorporation of this socio – economically marginalized group in Pakistan’s anti – poverty program. This section is in dire need of employment opportunities provided by Sialkot’s industrialist community in order to desist them from indulging in beggary. The local government authorities and policy planners must embrace multi – targeted approaches in the practice reactive interventions.