Taliban leader approves law to remove beggars

Kabul, Afghanistan - The Taliban-run Justice Ministry announced that leader of this group has approved legislation to

prevent begging and remove beggars from cities.

According to a statement from the ministry, the legislation consists of three sections and 27 principles.

“The beggars who are healthy and [begging for business] and have a one-day meal, are prohibited from begging,” the statement read.

The statement also noted that individuals who misuse children and people with disabilities for begging are prohibited from doing so. A commission to prevent begging has been established in 15 departments of the Taliban.

Individuals who receive aid from the Taliban but continue to engage in begging will be detained.

This legislation comes as over 23 million of the country’s population are in grave need of humanitarian assistance, according to UN agencies. The UN has also highlighted the lack of a constitution and other laws in Afghanistan under the Taliban.

• Mumtaz Rahman Stanikzai