Child Labor in Pakistan: A Silent Pandemic

Children are often regarded as the embodiment of innocence, purity, and joy. Their laughter breathes life into households, and their dreams symbolize hope for a better tomorrow. But in Pakistan, millions of children are denied the essence of childhood. Instead of attending school or playing with peers, they are seen cleaning dishes at roadside dhabas, begging in urban markets, toiling in hazardous factories, or enduring exploitation as domestic workers in affluent homes. This stark imagery raises a troubling question: where do our legal frameworks and social conscience stand amid this growing injustice?

The State of Child Labor in Pakistan

Child labor, as defined by the International Labor Organization (ILO), involves work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally harmful to children and interferes with their schooling. In Pakistan, the problem manifests in numerous forms—ranging from bonded labor and forced work in mines and agriculture to the sexual exploitation of young girls under the guise of domestic help.

Current estimates suggest that over 12 million children in Pakistan are engaged in labor. From the streets of Karachi to the rural fields of Punjab, children are seen working in environments that are not only unsuitable but often dangerous. Despite Pakistan being a signatory to various international conventions—including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child—progress remains stunted.

Constitutional and Legal Frameworks: A Promise Unfulfilled

The Constitution of Pakistan, under Article 11, explicitly prohibits slavery, forced labor, and child labor under the age of 14. Several laws have also been enacted to reinforce this constitutional mandate:

• The Employment of Children Act, 1991
• The Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, 1992
• Provincial Child Labor Laws and Regulations

However, legislation without enforcement is a hollow promise. These laws, often celebrated on paper, fail to materialize in practice due to bureaucratic inertia, institutional incapacity, and a lack of political will. Implementation remains patchy, particularly at the provincial and local levels, where oversight is weakest.

The absence of whistleblower protections, limited public awareness, and a lack of institutional coordination further hamper efforts to tackle this growing crisis.

Why Child Labor Persists: Structural and Social Drivers

1. Poverty and Economic Pressure:
The foremost driver of child labor is abject poverty. Families, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, rely on their children to supplement household incomes. Boys are sent to work in brick kilns, farms, and shops, while girls—more vulnerable and invisible—are often absorbed into domestic labor, where they face heightened risks of sexual abuse and emotional trauma. The tragic case of Fatima Furiro, a young girl allegedly tortured to death while working in a landlord’s home, stands as a chilling reminder.

2. Social Acceptance and Exploitation:
Child labor has become normalized across class lines. Employers prefer children because they are more obedient, cost less, and are less likely to assert their rights. This silent complicity contributes to the perpetuation of exploitation, particularly in elite households.

3. Inflation and Failing Social Protection:
As inflation soars and public welfare systems falter, families increasingly consider child labor a survival strategy. With minimal access to food subsidies, education stipends, or healthcare, many parents believe their children will fare better under the guardianship of wealthier employers—even if it costs them their childhood.

The Consequences: A Nation’s Lost Potential

The implications of child labor are vast and far-reaching:

• Psychological and Emotional Toll:
  Children in exploitative work environments suffer from depression, anxiety, and developmental disorders. The loss of a nurturing environment robs them of the emotional and cognitive growth essential to becoming healthy adults.
• Loss of Education:
  According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Education, approximately 26 million children are currently out of school. This educational vacuum not only undermines individual growth but severely hinders the country’s aspirations for economic prosperity and innovation under national development frameworks such as the Pakistan Vision 2025 and National Transformation Plan 2024–2029.
• Social Stigma and Inequality:
  Child labor perpetuates cycles of poverty and deepens social inequalities. It reinforces exploitative power dynamics, particularly affecting marginalized communities, girls, and minorities.
• National Economic Fallout:
  By neglecting its youth, Pakistan sacrifices a generation of potential doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. Investing in education and child development is not merely a moral imperative—it is an economic necessity for sustainable growth.

What Needs to Be Done

1. Enforcement and Accountability:
Strengthen institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of child labor laws. This includes the establishment of child protection units, improved labor inspections, and a clear system of penalties for violators.

2. Whistle-Blower and Reporting Mechanisms:
Introduce legal protections for individuals reporting instances of child exploitation. Anonymous reporting channels and community watchdog programs can play a pivotal role in identifying abuse.

3. Social Safety Nets and Family Support:
Enhance income support programs and conditional cash transfers (CCTs) for vulnerable families. Programs like Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) must be expanded and integrated with child welfare indicators.

4. Awareness and Advocacy Campaigns:
Engage civil society, media, educators, and influencers to shift social perceptions around child labor. Awareness campaigns, particularly in local languages and via digital platforms, can foster behavioral change at the grassroots level.

Conclusion: Let the Children Soar

While Pakistan has made legislative strides against child labor, the real challenge lies in ensuring effective implementation and social transformation. As a society, we must collectively reject the normalization of child exploitation and champion a future where every child can enjoy their right to education, play, safety, and dignity.

If we are to truly uphold the rights of the most vulnerable, then the little angels of this nation must be allowed to soar—not shackled by servitude, but empowered by freedom and opportunity.

Maryam Jatoi is a Public Administration graduate, gold & silver medalist, and a CSS Special Exam qualifier.