UPPER DIR: In a clear violation of the laws against child labour, scores of minors work in nurseries across Upper Dir to earn livelihood for families.

They’re also part of the Billion Tree Tsunami, the PTI-led provincial government’s tree plantation campaign, in the district though an ‘education emergency’ was declared in the province lately.

Also among such nurseries are those operated by the forest department in Sundrawal area, away from Dir Khas, the district headquarters of Upper Dir.

The children aged between 10 and 16 years work at nurseries on daily wage basis. A day ago, a tree plantation campaign was opened in Sundrawal.

After attending the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest, local government minister Inayatullah Khan visited a nursery, where children were working, but didn’t say anything about child labour.

Local residents said Upper Dir was a remote and backward district, where literacy rate was very low.

They said most students in both mountainous and settled areas of the district left school after passing fifth or eighth grades to begin work for families.

A minor child told Dawn that he wanted to study but couldn’t do so because he had to help his father earn livelihood for poor family.

Another child said most children in the village left school after attending few classes. He said children were not encouraged to get education.

“In our district, children work not only in nurseries but also in workshops, hotels, grocery stores, private offices and private places,” he said.

Civil society activist Mohammad Zubair said the government, politicians, parents and civil society were responsible for child labour.

He said the child rights organisations organised seminars and workshops in five-star hotels and secured funds but did nothing against child labour.

The civil society activist said the government had declared education emergency in the province and was establishing new schools but appeared not interested in addressing the issue, which endangering the future of children.

CHEQUES DISTRIBUTED: Local government minister Inayatullah Khan on Saturday said the European Union’s 64 million Euros worth of financial assistance was being used for the development of seven districts in Malakand division.

He was addressing a cheque distribution ceremony organised here at the District Council Hall by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme.

During the ceremony, Rs110 million cheques were distributed to community-based organisations for 74 development schemes in Dir town and Barawal here.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2016