PAKISTAN'S HORRIFYING-REALITY OF CHILD LABOUR

IN provinces like Balochistan, one cannot find a person without a story of a child who is forced in this scathe and so-called profession.

Everyday deaths of children hit newspaper headlines and news channels and programmes but, sadly no worthwhile  efforts have been taken to surmount this despicable source.

THE CHILDREN in Pakistan are engaged with various forms of  Child Labour at a very young age. Child labour is widespread in every nook and corner of the country and most rampant in large cities.

It is hard to imagine the condition of those small children who are forced to be child labourers at the age of  5  to 16  in serious jeopardy and to make a living.

To my recent visit in any of the eateries of of Turbat city, I encountered two children serving eating stuff to the customers. I was bewildered to witness such  tender-aged youngsters indulge in  such troublesome activities.

During another visit, our car was punctured on the highway and we went to a nearby shop to get the tire repaired, however, to our surprise, the mecahanic in the shop was a small child of 9.

He looked like an animal who was forced to fight the unconditional and hostile environment of the world in a young age.

As we got the tyre repaired, dismayed, I inquired, ''Why have you turned to such a work in spite of attending school?''

''I work as an apprentice here owing to the minute income my father receives working in another garage. I was forced here just to meet my family's financial crisis.  I only get free from here at 7pm when the  muezzin summons for the azan and  my body becomes numb and zonked by working all day long.

If I quit the temporary profession, then this will result in the deprivation of three times of meal for us. If only I could go to school.''  Lamenting this , tears shredded down his cheeks.

The sad shame  of serving  this publishing continues. The World Students Society thanks author and researcher Zeeshan Nasir.