Punjab Approves Bill Proposing Jail and Heavy Fines for Child Begging

Notably, the Punjab Assembly's Committee on Home Affairs has unanimously approved a bill proposing stricter penalties for parents and guardians who employ children for begging or allow others to do so.

Key points

• The bill additionally seeks to raise the child protection age from 14 to 16 years by amending the Punjab Vagrancy Ordinance, 1958.
• As the controller responsible for coordinating anti-begging operations, to strengthen enforcement, the legislation proposes appointing the director general of Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal, Punjab.
• The bill would replace an earlier amending ordinance issued in 2026, incorporating its provisions into provincial law through legislation.
• The controller would oversee inspections of welfare and rehabilitation centers, maintain a central database, matter standard operating procedures and supervise rehabilitation programs.
• The amendments additionally aim to improve coordination among administration departments and strengthen the monitoring of individuals taken into custody and afterwards rehabilitated.

Notably, the Punjab Vagrancy (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was approved during a session chaired by MPA Safdar Hussain Sahi and attended by committee members and office-holders from the Punjab Assembly and relevant departments. Govt Intends to Develop E-Passport Security Chips Locally.

Under the proposed amendments, parents and guardians discovered using children for begging, allowing others to exploit them, or negligently failing to prevent such activities could face imprisonment ranging from three months to three years and fines between Rs. 100, 000 and Rs. 300, 000.

For context, the bill additionally seeks to raise the child protection age from 14 to 16 years by amending the Punjab Vagrancy Ordinance, 1958.

Notably, the controller would oversee inspections of welfare and rehabilitation centers, maintain a central database, matter standard operating procedures and supervise rehabilitation programs. Rawalpindi Ring Road Opening Delayed by Another Month.

For context, the amendments additionally aim to improve coordination among administration departments and strengthen the monitoring of individuals taken into custody and afterwards rehabilitated.

For context, the bill would replace an earlier amending ordinance issued in 2026, incorporating its provisions into provincial law through legislation.

For context, the proposed measures are intended to prevent the exploitation of children by families and organized begging networks. Nevertheless, their effectiveness will depend on the availability of rehabilitation facilities, trained staff and adequate funding. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest news and stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover. Follow on Google News Join WhatsApp. See more ProPakistani stories in Google Search and Top Stories.

For now, punjab Approves Bill Proposing Jail and Heavy Fines for Child Begging remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.