PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has finalized the redrafting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Anti-Beggary Bill 2025, aiming to strengthen efforts to curb organized begging networks and ensure the protection and rehabilitation of vulnerable individuals.
The proposed legislation, which seeks to repeal the existing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Vagrancy (Control & Rehabilitation) Act, 2020, introduces a comprehensive framework focused on prevention, rehabilitation, and social reintegration rather than punitive measures alone.
According to officials, the new draft emphasizes a culturally sensitive and context-specific approach, designed to be practically implementable and responsive to the social realities of the province.
“When laws are drafted without considering community behaviors, resource constraints, and the actual capacities of implementing institutions, they often remain ineffective and fail to achieve meaningful change,” noted Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager at Blue Veins and the principal drafter of the bill.
Technical support for the redrafting of this bill was provided by Blue Veins, a non-profit organization working on social development and human rights in the province.
The revised bill introduces clear definitions, prohibits the exploitation of children and persons with disabilities, and outlines mechanisms for rescue, protection, and rehabilitation, said Qamar.
It envisions collaborative efforts among various government departments, civil society, and local communities to dismantle begging mafias and provide support to those forced into begging.
The draft is currently under vetting by the provincial Law Department, after which it will be presented to the Provincial Assembly for approval, he added.
A key highlight is the strong political commitment shown by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who has expressed personal interest in the early adoption and implementation of this important legislation. This reflects a clear policy direction focused on addressing social vulnerabilities through a compassionate and community-centered approach.
The bill marks a significant step forward in creating a legal and institutional framework to not only control the practice of beggary but also to rehabilitate and empower marginalized populations.
