THE nuisance of begging and the number of beggars are on the rise in Pakistan.

In this particular context, we have gone global. Our beggars are getting caught all over the Middle East and Far East, and getting deported. Thousands upon thousands of beggars descend onto Karachi before Ramazan and do not leave till Eidul Azha is over. One needs to understand what lies at the root of all this.

As my uncle looks at the phenomenon, the current TV game shows have a big part in it. He watches in horror when motorcycles are doled out to the one who has the whitest beard, or is wearing the whitest shalwar kameez, or to the one who makes the most moving plea.

It is merely the lure of the motorcycle, or whatever, that makes otherwise respectable senior citizens, both men and women, falling from grace. They do not feel bad about pleading for a motorcycle, a fruit juicer or even a free shalwar kameez suit.

Gone are the days ofdecentprogrammes, like Zia Mohyeddin Show, Pehchaniyay, Seeshay Ka Ghar, Kasauti, Neelam Ghar; Farozan and many more. That was when we could see the intelligentsia and prominent people gracing TV screens.

Besides, the begging habit is further compounded by our rulers who dress up in designer clothes,travelin chartered planes, and stay in seven-star hotels even when they are asking for aid and assistance.

When the common man sees this in game shows and on news headlines, it is only natural that he tend to follow suit.

S.NayyarIqbalRaza Karachi