Sir: I would like to ask every reader lucky enough to have a happy childhood to spare a moment to think children who are forced to work in inhumane conditions. There are plenty of such unfortunate souls in our country. The child labourer’s world is extremely bleak. They are forced to work in factories, mines, in the streets washing cars or as domestic servants just so that they don’t starve. Their wishes and dreams are lost with the passing of time. This is all because the governments of Pakistan have consistently failed to protect the country’s children. Poverty and illiteracy continues to drive under privileged children towards a life of harsh labour, and the ruthless exploitation of their innocence. Every child deserves an education. The menaces of illiteracy and child labour must be eliminated. HALEEMA SOHAIL Karachi Published in Daily Times, May 29th 2018.