The Commission for Collecting Beggars and Preventing Begging held a meeting today at Marmarin Palace under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, H.E. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund.
At the outset of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs spoke about the principal objective behind the establishment of the commission, as well as the significance of the process of collecting beggars from Kabul city over the past three years.
H.E. Mullah Sahib stated that, as a result of the efforts of the member institutions of the commission, a large number of beggars have been collected from Kabul city, and eligible beggars have been provided with monthly cash assistance and food aid by the Islamic Emirate.
Subsequently, officials from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs presented an oversight report to the meeting regarding the activities of the Commission for Collecting Beggars and Preventing Begging.
According to the report, since the commencement of the beggar-collection process in Kabul city, a total of 74,968 beggars have been collected. Following a comprehensive assessment, 37,947 individuals were identified as eligible, while 37,021 were identified as professional beggars. Eligible beggars were referred to the Afghan Red Crescent, through which monthly financial assistance is transferred to them via bank accounts. Likewise, some eligible beggars were referred to the Ministry of Public Health for treatment purposes, while others were referred to Kabul Municipality for employment opportunities.
In addition to outlining the activities carried out by the commission, the report also shared with participants the existing challenges in several areas.
After hearing the report, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs issued serious instructions to all member ministries and institutions of the commission to properly implement and enforce the procedure approved by His Highness, the Amir al-Mu’minin (may Allah Almighty protect him), regarding the Commission for Collecting Beggars and Preventing Begging.
H.E. added that, at the initial stage, the number of beggars in Kabul city had significantly decreased; however, it has recently increased again to some extent, which requires serious follow-up and action.
It was also decided that, under the leadership of the Counter-Narcotics Deputy Ministry of the Ministry of Interior, the commission’s meetings will be held once a month, and a report on its activities will be submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
