PESHAWAR, Aug 1: The Aurat Foundation has published a book which portrays the plight of children in Pakistan.

The book, titled “Guidelines for Children Rights Activists”, was distributed among the journalists here at a ceremony.

While referring to a report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, it says more than 4,000 children are in various Pakistani jails. Of them, 56 per cent have no legal support.

Some 57 per cent of these children are without any relatives, with the result that no one enquires about them.

These children, below 16 years of age, have been found to be suffering from mental diseases.

The book paints a miserable picture of jail conditions, where there is an absolute dearth of basic facilities, and where children lead a woeful life.

It slams children’s exploitation in Pakistan, stating that 90 per cent of such cases go unreported. Citing a report published in 1996, it says most are also sexually exploited.

It notes that Pakistan is one of the few unfortunate countries where primary education has not yet been made compulsory.

In the rural areas, 29 per cent male and only 8 per cent female children, aged between 11 and 15 years, go to school.

The book says a number of laws relating to childrens’ rights are in force, but they are scarcely implemented. —PPI