Children at work

Child labour is a complex problem that requires immediate attention from all the relevant stakeholders. In Pakistan, we often come across children of all ages begging on the streets, sweeping footpaths and cleaning cars at traffic signals. This is a source of concern because these children are being deprived of a secure childhood.

There is no better way to prevent this problem than to ensure that every child goes to school. Many believe that our future generation will lead us towards progress. If that is the case, why does our government repeatedly overlook the needs of children? According to the National Child Labour Survey, approximately 3.3 million children below the age of 14 work as child labourers in Pakistan. Around 73 percent of these children are boy and 27 percent are girls. The government needs to take steps to resolve this issue in order to improve the prospects available to these children.

Fizza Faheem

Karachi