In both urban and rural parts of Rawalpindi, it is common to find children shouldering responsibilities far beyond their years. In villages, young boys can be seen working long hours in the fields beside their fathers and uncles. Meanwhile, girls—often no older than five or six—begin assisting their mothers with household chores, their small hands barely able to hold a ladle or scrub a pot.
“For many families, child labour is not a choice, but a grim necessity born out of poverty. With limited resources and few employment opportunities, parents often make the heart-breaking decision to send their children to work—sometimes even far from home—in hopes of securing a better future,” says Alamdar Hussain.
“They live among people, but not with them. They are physically present but emotionally invisible. People think we are heartless for sending our daughters to the city, but they don’t see the hunger we face every day,” says Arham Ali, a teacher from a government school.
“The psychological toll of such isolation and labour at a young age is profound. Experts say that these children often suffer from anxiety, depression, and developmental delays due to a lack of stimulation, affection, and education. Yet, their struggles continue largely unnoticed,” says Hur Abbas.
“Childhood is not a luxury—it is a fundamental right. When a child is denied the opportunity to play, to learn, and to dream, we are not just failing that child—we are failing our society,” says Salma Ali, a social worker with a local NGO.
“Pakistan remains one of the countries grappling with high rates of child labour, particularly in the informal sector, where regulation is weak or non-existent. While laws exist on paper, implementation remains a significant challenge, especially when it comes to children working in private homes,” says Mazahir Hussain.
“In Rawalpindi, this silent epidemic is visible on every street corner and behind closed doors—busboys at tea stalls, young helpers in kitchens, children knocking on car windows selling flowers or tissues.
Published in The NEWS on November 18, 2025.
