PESHAWAR, Nov 20: The speakers at a children’s convention on Thursday demanded that the government strictly implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The convention was held in connection with the World Children’s Day by the Human Resources Management and Development Centre at Nishtar Hall.

It was attended by child labourers and street children who study in the Mashal schools set up by the centre.

NWFP Labour Secretary Arbab Shahrukh Khan said Pakistan had signed the CRC but poverty was a hindrance in the provision of basic facilities to the children and they were forced to work.

UN Children’s Fund Coordinator Zubaida Khatoon said the number of girls was greater than boys among the 40 per cent of the children who were without education. She lamented that most of the handicapped children could not get special treatment and they were left on the streets to beg.