World Day Against Child Labour marked: Nehal urges stronger enforcement of protection laws

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi on Thursday called for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and renewed national efforts to eradicate child labour.

Children must be protected from exploitation and given access to quality education and a secure future, he stressed.

In a message on the World Day Against Child Labour, observed annually on June 12, Hashmi said safeguarding children was both a constitutional and moral obligation, stressing that every child deserved a safe environment, education and equal opportunities for development.

Children are the foundation of our nation’s future. Their protection, education and well-being must remain a top priority for the state and society alike, he added.

Hashmi noted that Pakistan’s Constitution contains clear provisions to protect children from exploitation. He said Article 11 prohibits forced labour and child exploitation, while Article 25-A guarantees free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of five and sixteen.

He warned that child labour continues to deprive children of their basic rights and adversely affects their education, health and overall development.

“Child labour robs children of their childhood, limits their opportunities and prevents them from reaching their full potential,” he said, adding that when children are forced into labour instead of classrooms, their future and the future of society are placed at risk.

The governor said children engaged in labour often face physical, emotional and psychological hardships that can have long-term consequences, adding that eliminating the practice was essential for building a prosperous and equitable society.

Hashmi highlighted ongoing federal and provincial initiatives to reduce child labour, improve school enrollment and strengthen child welfare mechanisms. However, he emphasized that legislation alone would not be sufficient without effective implementation and monitoring. “The real challenge lies in ensuring the strict enforcement of laws and creating conditions where no child is compelled to work because of poverty, neglect or exploitation,” he said.

He called for comprehensive measures to identify and rehabilitate children involved in labour, ensuring their return to schools and integration into safe and supportive environments.

The governor also urged parents, teachers, religious leaders, civil society organizations and community representatives to play a more active role in protecting children and raising awareness about the harmful effects of child labour.

Hashmi reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and supporting initiatives that promote education, welfare and protection for vulnerable children.

The World Day Against Child Labour observed globally to highlight the plight of millions of children engaged in labour and to encourage governments, employers, communities and international organizations to work toward eliminating child labour in all its forms.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026