Lahore Traffic Police is planning a pilot project to help professional beggars find better ways to earn money, according to reports on Thursday.
What will happen during the program?
In partnership with the Small Industries Corporation, selected people will receive training in different skills. Each family may also get an easy loan of up to Rs500,000 to start a small business.
On the orders of the Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), officials have completed the first screening of 10 families for the project.
The project will provide selected families with skills training and financial help. The purpose of the initiative is to help them move towards a stable and respectable source of income.
Education and skills training
The project will also focus on children who are involved in begging. Authorities are working on a plan to open “slum schools” in informal settlements across Lahore.
These schools would give children a chance to continue their education instead of begging on the streets.
Women and transgender beggars will also be offered training to help them earn a living. Welfare groups are expected to support courses in beauty services, stitching, embroidery and other skills.
Meanwhile, volunteers from the Alkhidmat Foundation are helping officials collect information about beggars in Lahore.
The data will help authorities identify families who need support. It will also help them create rehabilitation plans based on each family’s situation.
The Lahore CTO said such projects can help reduce professional begging. He added that the main goal is to support people in building better social and economic lives.
Punjab traffic police to get new uniforms
The Punjab traffic police will get new uniforms across the province, according to reports on Tuesday. Police sources said that the new uniforms will be purchased for the traffic police during the current financial year.
Officers will now wear white shirts and navy blue trousers instead of the grey uniform. The Lahore traffic police received new uniforms last year. However, officials had already approved another change in the uniform.
According to sources, the new uniform will be introduced in two phases. Lahore will be covered in the first phase. The new uniform will then be introduced across Punjab.