MULTAN, May 5: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s local chapter organized a cricket tournament here on Saturday to mark the international day for the oppressed children. The teams participating in the event comprised mostly the children who could not join a school due to economic constraints, and instead they had to start their practical lives at a tender age to support their families.

Around 300 children took part in the tournament held at the Qasim Bagh Stadium. The players were divided into under-12 and 12-15 year categories. The teams were named after various colours as red, blue, green, white, black, yellow, etc.

Most of the participating children either worked at auto-workshops, hotels, power looms, brick kilns or earned their living as street hawkers. The zest with which these children took part in the game showed how rarely the entertainment and recreational activities come in their lives.

Bushra Khanum, one of the organizers, talking to Dawn said the HRCP had planned to observe the day this year in an unconventional way rather than organizing seminars and workshops at hotels. “We want to introduce the lighter side of the life to these children,” she added.

The HRCP’s local task force coordinator Rashid Rehman said the objective of organizing the event was to invite attention of the society and the state towards the plight of those children who had lost their childhood even before it had actually begun. He said most of the child labourers had to face torture at their workplaces. “Imparting skill does not mean that one should be agonized in the process,” he remarked.

He said that proper grooming of the children was the responsibility of both the society and the state. He said that state should bring the issue of children rights at the national agenda because future of the society was attached with them.

Talking on the occasion, children revealed horrific tales of torture they had to face during the skill-learning process. Bushra Khanum suggested that the employers of such children should also be educated regarding the needs of childhood.