The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has received the Vagrancy Act 2026, a proposed law aimed at addressing begging across the province. Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam tabled the bill, which seeks to introduce a province-wide legal framework to act against professional beggars.
The proposed law calls for the establishment of a provincial steering committee with the authority to recommend the blocking of national identity cards and passports.
Under the bill, begging may result in a warning or up to one month in jail for a first offense, while repeat violations carry a penalty of up to one year. Begging through deception may lead to up to two years in prison, while organized groups could face up to three years.
The legislation proposes a fine of up to Rs. 400,000 for those who force children into begging. It also grants police and social welfare officials the authority to make arrests without a warrant, with a requirement to present detainees before a special magistrate within 24 hours.
Courts may send offenders to rehabilitation centers instead of imposing prison sentences. These centers will offer vocational training and psychological support, while a Vagrancy Control Fund is proposed, to be financed through fines and donations.
Children found begging will be handed over to child protection units, while non-local beggars will be sent back. The bill also proposes the use of biometric systems and modern technology to monitor begging, and declares begging in public places a punishable offense.
Authorities said the steering committee will review implementation every three months to assess progress.