Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Approves Anti-Beggary Bill Legislation

On February 27, 2026, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Cabinet approved the KP Vagrancy Control and Rehabilitation Bill 2025, which aims to modernize the approach to vagrancy in the province. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi emphasized that the bill introduces a 'rights-based framework' that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment, stating, 'We are focusing on helping vulnerable individuals rather than criminalizing them.' The bill expands the definition of vagrancy to include organized and forced beggary, and it includes specific protections for children involved in begging. Notably, it proposes the establishment of a non-lapsable rehabilitation fund to support skill development and reintegration efforts for affected individuals. This legislative move comes alongside other significant approvals by the cabinet, including a Rs4.065 billion allocation to address health sector shortages and the establishment of breast screening centers at five divisional headquarters.