ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has emphasised the need for collective efforts from the government, civil society, and the public to safeguard children’s rights and provide them with a safe environment.
“Today, we observe the World Day Against Child Labour, which reminds us to make efforts to protect every child from exploitation and to build a future where children can learn, play, and grow in a safe and dignified environment,” President Zardari said.
“Child labour is a global challenge that demands collective action by governments and civil society to provide a secure future for our children,” he added.
The President further stated that Pakistan, being a signatory to various international conventions aimed at eliminating child labour, is fully committed to ending the exploitation of children.
In his message released on World Day Against Child Labour, being marked on June 12, Mr Zardari said that Pakistan has taken several steps to prevent exploitation and help affected children.
Pakistan has enacted the National Commission on Rights of Child Act (2017), the ICT Child Protection Act (2018), the Juvenile Justice System Act (2018), the Employment of Children’s Act (1991), and the Domestic Workers Act (2002).
Pakistan has also established effective mechanisms and service units for the prevention of child exploitation, child labour, and providing care and rehabilitation to the affected children. Such interventions also include the establishment of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child, the Child Protection Institute, and the Child Welfare Bureaus.
While the government continues to enforce laws and policies, ending child labour is a joint responsibility, the president said.
“I urge employers to strictly follow child labour laws and ensure that their workplaces are free from exploitation. I call on parents and guardians to prioritise the education of their children instead of short-term gains. I urge schools and teachers to identify children at risk of dropping out and keep them in classrooms,” he urged.
Mr Zardari also emphasised that the international community to pay urgent attention to the suffering of children in conflict zones such as Gaza.
Thousands of innocent children in these areas have been displaced, injured, or orphaned due to violence and aggression by the occupation forces, he said.
He urged government institutions, civil society, human rights defenders, the media, United Nations agencies, educators, parents, and religious leaders to take practical steps to end child labour.
Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2025
