One of Pakistan’s major social anomalies is its 1.2 million and growing street children.
A prime responsibility of the State and society, these children are instead neglected to the point of being driven to begging, drug trafficking and scavenging around rubbish dumps, many survive by prostituting themselves and stealing.
Hungry, alone and afraid; they are robbed off their innocence and in turn are given sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, jaundice and liver or kidney disorders.
Mostly due to the appalling treatment on the streets, they find refuge with criminal gangs and militant groups who promise protection and food.
While most of us have little to worry about as winter sets in, it is a season of the worst afflictions for these children without shelter.