HEALTH, education, healthy nutrition and suitable living environment are the basic rights of children, and the state is responsible for providing these rights to them. But here we are in a sorry state. Pakistan has not been yet able to address child issues.

Pakistan has a population of 190 million people, almost half of them are 18 years of age. Children have been given low priority because they cannot vote. There are a number of laws and acts, such as, the employment of children Act 1991, the bonded Labour Act 1992, Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Bill 2004, the Sindh Child Protection Authority Act 2011 in the country regarding protection of child rights, but there is little implementation due to which a huge population of children is suffering.

Currently, UN reports show Pakistan’s progress is very slow in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and the target of Education for All.

Thus because of focusing less on areas related to development of children Pakistan is lagging far behind others on this count.

The UN estimates that there may be as many as 1.5 million street children in Pakistan while some 11 million children work in  factories.

Society for Protection of the Rights of Child (SPARC) has been campaigning for a separate ministry for children – an apt and timely demand.

KHADIM SOOMRO Dadu, Sindh