I RECENTLY went to a garage to get my motorcycle’s front wheel fixed. I was shocked to see an 11-year-old boy working on my bike. He was struggling to get the wheel off the bike. I could not help but wonder why this kid was at the mechanic’s instead of at school with pens and books. Why were his hands dirty with grease?

I asked him why he was working instead of going to school. The child told me that his father was unemployed and he was supposed to earn money for his family. He added that it was important to have food on the table and lessen the burden on his father’s shoulders. I felt like crying when the boy said this.

My interaction with this young boy made me question our politicians and their promises. When will they ensure that all children in this country go to school?

Riaz Quraish Maqsoodi
Turbat

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2018