ISLAMABAD: Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has approved the Punjab Vagrancy (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, which has come into immediate effect. The official gazette notification has also been issued.
Under the new ordinance, Punjab has revised the legal definition of a child, raising the age limit from 14 to 16 years. The amendment aims to strengthen legal protection for children and enable authorities to take stricter action against those who force them to beg.
The ordinance sets a maximum prison sentence of three years for parents and guardians involved in forcing children into begging. It also introduces a fine of up to Rs. 300,000 for the offence.
The provincial government has also changed the administrative structure for tackling begging. Under the new arrangement, the Director General of Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal has been appointed as the Controller of Vagrancy.
According to police officials, the new legal framework will help prevent child exploitation and curb the practice of forcing children to beg. The amendments are expected to strengthen enforcement and provide authorities with greater powers to take action against those involved in the practice.
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