Sir: I am writing to your good-self to express my deep anguish over the unrelenting problem of rising child-labour in our country.
The problem of child-labour is quite widespread across the Pakistan. In spite of the many anti-child labour laws, the problem is continues to spoil the lives of thousands of children. The adverse effects of this problem affect the growth, development, and progress of our nation.
Not only millions of underage children are forced to work in factories, shops, glass-blowing industry, workshops etc, they are paid the minimum of wages. According to Census data, there are over 82 lakh child labourers (aged between 5-14 years) in Pakistan. Our country needs more and more skilled manpower to achieve the objectives of growth, development and advancement. With so many millions of children working menial jobs, without education, how can Pakistan achieve its goals?
I appeal to the concerned authorities to take some proactive and stringent measures to stop this child labour and must ensure education for them. Undoubtedly there are many laws against child labour, however their poor implementation is responsible for the continuation of the problem.
M NATIQ QURESHI
Karachi