Are Pakistani Beggars Gathering Intelligence in Afghanistan?

An increase in poverty and unemployment in Pakistan has made matters worse.

Pakistani beggars are allegedly being employed to carry out intelligence surveillance activities. (Photoz; Twitter/ TOLOnews)

According to the Afghan Ministry of Interior, Pakistani beggars are being employed to carry out intelligence surveillance activities, reported TOLOnews on Friday.

The officials asserted that they have proof to ascertain the claims. They added that an increase in poverty and unemployment in Pakistan has brought many, quite literally, on the road, who in turn, travel to Afghanistan.

“Unfortunately such people can be witness, our police also have some reports that some people are there who belong outside Afghanistan. They are Pakistani and they come here and beg on the streets, but in general such people are a headache and they can be involved in any kind of incident and their existence is questionable.”

Multiple analysts have also concurred that there is a possibility of beggars having connections with terrorists, which can further their ulterior motives.

There have been some others who believe that “foreign beggars” not only aid intelligence activities but are also responsible for tainting the “real face of the Afghan people.”

We are suspicious that there are some in the Kabul streets who not only damage Afghan people’s dignity but are also a security concern.

Bashir Bezhan, Kabul Servants Institute (KSI)

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, however, responded by saying that they have programs for beggars to get them off the streets, but they refuse to comment on being used as agents to carry out intelligence or terrorist activities.

Well maybe such kind of people exist but it is the responsibility of the security institutions to answer the question. In our working area we have big programs for gathering of poor and needy people and we have implemented the program and had a good result.

Abdul Fatah Ashrar Ahmadzai, Ministry Media adviser