MOST of the underprivileged children in Pakistan, especially in Karachi, have been left on the streets, having hardly anything to eat or wear. They are forced to work and be used as a source of earning for one mafia or the other.

According to Article 11(3) of the Constitution: “No child below the age of 14 years shall be engaged in any factory or mine or any other hazardous employment”. Besides, Article 25(A) states: “The state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to 16 years in such manner as determined by law.”

Still, no such action by the government is taken in this regard. The youth is our country’s asset and should be protected and cared for at all costs. The government should rescue these children and provide them with free quality education. It should also set up shelters to provide some sort of security and even liberty to the young, tortured angels.

Sidra Tariq
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2021