LAHORE, Aug 3: District Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood has said child labour could not be controlled due to growing poverty and ignorance in society.

Speaking at a seminar on child labour organized by the city district government at the Alhamra Art Centre here on Saturday in connection with the Independence Day celebrations, the Nazim said the inhuman practice of forcing children to work could not be controlled without improving the economic condition of the masses.

He said Rs70 billion were being spent every year for the welfare of the needy but no positive results could be achieved due to lack of proper planning.

Mian Amer said the government was trying to solve the child labour problem by educating five to 14 years old children. The city government had opened schools in 300 homes in six union councils for the purpose.

SSP (investigation) Muhammad Amin, district Labour officer Syed Sakhawat Ali, deputy district officer (community development) Chaudhry Bashir Ahmad, Miss Aisha Jabeen, Akhtar Abbas and Muhammad Kahlid also spoke on the occasion.