KARACHI: Troubled by the nuisance of beggary in public places, Karachiites can finally take a sigh of relief as the constitutional bench of the Sindh High Court directed the traffic police to prevent begging in the metropolitan city.

“Inspector General Traffic is directed to ensure that no begging is allowed in Karachi by any person,” read the SHC order in response to a petition seeking action against harassment and nuisance caused by transgender individuals involved in begging at traffic lights and other public places. The concerned petition, which named Karachi commissioner, National Database and Registration Authority chairman, Sindh Inspector General of Police and Cantonment Board Clifton CEO, sought strict action against “Begging by transgenders at traffic lights and other public places under section 17 of the Transgender Act and under Section 118(1)(a)(iv) of the Cantonment Act”.

It further called for action against “Harassment of women and children” to uphold their “Fundamental Right to Protection” under Article 25 of the Constitution and Section 237 of the Cantonment Act. The court’s order, however, is not limited to transgenders and provide for a prohibition on begging whether the beggars are male, female, children or transgender.