The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to introduce biometric and modern technology-based monitoring of beggars in Peshawar and across the province.
The Vagracy Act 2026 has been tabled in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly with the stated objective of eliminating begging. Once enacted, the law will apply across the province, and authorities will take action against individuals identified as professional beggars.
According to the proposed legislation, a provincial steering committee will be established with wide-ranging powers, including the authority to block identity cards and passports of those found involved in organised or repeated begging activities.
According to the bill, those who use children for begging may be fined up to 400,000 rupees. Police and social welfare authorities will have the power to arrest professional beggars without a warrant, and the arrested individuals must be presented before a special magistrate within 24 hours.
Instead of conventional punishment, courts will have the authority to send beggars to rehabilitation centres. In these centres, they will be provided with technical training and psychological support, while children found begging will be handed over to the Child Protection Unit.
In addition, a system will be developed for the permanent monitoring of beggars using biometric and modern technology. The bill also declares begging in public places a criminal offence and includes facilitators within its scope. The provincial government’s steering committee will review the implementation of the law every three months.
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