Sir: The number of street children in Pakistan is estimated to be anywhere between 1.2 million to 1.5 million. Pakistan has the largest population of street children after India and Egypt. They usually sell flowers, clothes and books; sell boot polish and collect garbage, while some survive on begging. Surprisingly, all these children are hard working and whatever they do, they put their heart and soul into it. It is the responsibility of the government to provide them with the necessities of life so that this precious labour is not lost to trivial useless things. It is amazing that our government talks about youth but it is not interested in safeguarding their future. FAISAL KHALID Karachi