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Bilal Maqsood warns of ‘extremely harmful’ side effects of young beggars covering themselves in metallic paint

Bilal Maqsood warns of ‘extremely harmful’ side effects of young beggars covering themselves in metallic paint

"Prolonged exposure, especially under the sun, can cause serious skin issues," the singer wrote in a note to the health ministry.
21 Apr, 2025

Singer Bilal Maqsood is drawing the health ministry’s attention to the plight of young children covered in shiny paint while begging for money on the streets of Karachi, warning about the “extremely harmful” chemicals found in the paint they use.

In an Instagram post with a picture of a child beggar coated in gold paint, Maqsood addressed the health ministry and said that so many children could be found on Karachi’s Khayaban-e-Ittehad and Sea View with “their faces painted with shiny silver or gold paint, performing on the streets in this heat”.

“What’s heartbreaking is that the paint is often made from aluminium powder or lead-based chemicals, which are extremely harmful. Prolonged exposure, especially under the sun, can cause serious skin issues and even lead to skin cancer.”

Maqsood urged the ministry to do something about the matter and “educate and protect these children before it’s too late.”

The singer ended his post by calling for help because he did not know whom to tag about the matter.

Many agreed with Maqsood, with model Fatima Hasan and actor Areeba Habib both commenting on the post. Habib dubbed it a “sad” ordeal and thanked the singer for raising awareness.

In recent days, more and more young children and adults have doused themselves in metallic paint before begging for money in an attempt to capture the attention of passersby.

Comments

Hasnain Virk Apr 21, 2025 01:32pm
The question shouldn't be about metallic paint and its adverse effects. Why are the children allowed to beg/perform/work in the first place ? Isn't that an offence under child labour act ?
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M. Saeed Apr 21, 2025 02:04pm
The metallic painted Statue posed beggars are attracting people's attention for money, while in ignorance, selling their slow suicidal attempts. They must be saved from this slow suicide, which is a crime by law, in any shape!
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Apr 21, 2025 02:15pm
No doubt, it's a big hazard, menace, risk and endangerment to better health, haleness, safety, fitness and salubrity of all those who do so.
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Justsaying Apr 21, 2025 03:12pm
Education...Education...Education...just check the data how many children are out of basic Education in Pakistan....
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Tahmad Apr 21, 2025 06:05pm
Very good and timely advice, authorities and law enforcement in Karachi and rest of Pakistan should take immediate action to stop it.
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Ron Apr 22, 2025 03:51am
good point raised...
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KAJ Apr 22, 2025 10:19am
A very timely info for the concerned to check this novel way for collecting money by the illiterate parents .
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Laila Apr 23, 2025 03:16am
The fact that we have children begging and children working should be cause of concern especially in a country like Pakistan where sadly rampant child abuse and child traffiking rings operate across the nation. But of course our corrupt government is busy profiting off all of this and therefore turn a blind eye to enforcing law. And yes we have laws. But for show only. To date with the war in Palestine, have you ever heard of or seen Palestinian children begging? No, because Palestinians, unlike most Pakistanis, have honor and self-respect and don't allow anybody taking advantage of their kids. That's why you can't adopt orphan kids. In Pakistan kids are bought and sold. Its horrific and yet we call ourselves a moral nation, an Islamic republic? Begging in Pakistan an industry worth billions, could be abolished instantly if government and police did their job. But they won't. They have vested interest in this. The safety and future of children doesn't matter tl them. Shame.
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Shagufta Mustafa Apr 23, 2025 12:58pm
Children should never be used for begging. In fact, the government should focus on eliminating the culture of begging altogether, rather than targeting a specific generation.
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