Rampant poverty in the country has forced thousands of children to undergo all forms of abuse, ranging from physical and emotional to sexual besides malnutrition and hunger.
According to rough estimates, over 2,500 children in the age of six to 15 years are associated with the transport sector as conductors, cleaners and even drivers in the city.
Most of the children, who have come from various parts of the province, besides Azad Kashmir and the NWFP, said they had come here because of the family problems, poverty and drug addiction by their fathers. Few had, of course, run away from homes.
Pakistan is faced with rampant poverty and according to some recent figures, almost 40 percent people live below poverty line and more are crossing this critical line daily as the inflation roars and economic recession deepens.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) figures say there are around 14 million Pakistani children, who work daily to earn their living.

Copyright Pakistan Press International, 2004

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