Child labour in Pakistan is more than just a social issue—it is a daily tragedy happening in homes, streets, and workplaces across the country. Despite being illegal in many forms, child labour continues to grow, affecting over 12 million children according to various national and international reports. These children are denied education, safety, and a proper childhood. Through real cases and analysis, this article explores how deep the problem runs in Pakistan, what factors drive it, and what must be done to end it.
The Scope of Child Labour in Pakistan
In cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Faisalabad, children are found polishing shoes, cleaning homes, or working in hotels for little to no pay. In villages of Sindh and Punjab, they toil under the sun in brick kilns and farms. Many children are trafficked internally and work under bonded labour to pay off family debts—a modern form of slavery. The keyword child labour in Pakistan represents this widespread issue that is fueled by poverty, illiteracy, and weak law enforcement. These children are invisible to most of society yet form the backbone of cheap labour in the informal economy.
The Case of Tayyaba – Domestic Child Labour
One of the most shocking cases of child labour in Pakistan came to light in 2016 when photos of a 10-year-old girl named Tayyaba surfaced on social media. She worked as a domestic helper at the house of an Islamabad judge. The pictures showed her face swollen and bruised. It was later revealed that the judge’s wife had been regularly beating her. Tayyaba’s case caused public outrage and led to a court trial. However, even after this high-profile case, domestic child labour remains common and rarely gets attention unless such abuse becomes public. Her story is a painful example of how child labour in Pakistan often hides behind closed doors.
Zohra Shah – A Life Lost Too Soon
Another heartbreaking story is that of Zohra Shah, an eight-year-old girl employed by a wealthy couple in Rawalpindi. In 2020, she was brutally beaten to death for accidentally releasing their pet parrots. Her death led to media uproar and highlighted how children are often treated as property, not humans. The case prompted legal debate and led the Punjab government to ban domestic labour for children under 15. Yet enforcement is weak, and many similar cases remain unreported. Zohra’s tragedy stands as a chilling reminder of how deadly child labour in Pakistan can be when society chooses silence.
Iqbal Masih – A Symbol of Resistance
Iqbal Masih was sold into bonded labour at a carpet factory at age four. He worked for 12 hours a day in harsh conditions. At age 10, he escaped and began speaking out against child slavery. He became an international figure and inspired many. Tragically, he was shot dead at age 12 under mysterious circumstances. Iqbal’s life and death reflect both the courage of young voices and the danger they face in exposing injustice. He remains a symbol of the fight against child labour in Pakistan.
What the Law Says – And Why It’s Not Enough
Pakistan has passed several laws against child labour, including the Employment of Children Act 1991 and the Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019. The Constitution of Pakistan also prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 in factories and mines. However, child labour still flourishes. The main reason is weak enforcement and social acceptance. Many employers go unpunished. Labour inspections are rare, and in rural areas, almost non-existent. Corruption and lack of resources make it easy for violators to escape justice. Until laws are implemented strictly and consistently, children will continue to suffer.
The Root Causes of Child Labour in Pakistan
The key drivers of child labour in Pakistan are poverty, lack of education, large family sizes, and weak social systems. When parents cannot feed their families, they are forced to make difficult choices. Often, they see their children as earners instead of students. Schools in poor areas lack proper facilities and teachers, which discourages parents from enrolling their children. Cultural norms also play a role—many people believe children, especially girls, are better off working at home or learning house chores instead of going to school. To end child labour in Pakistan, these root causes must be addressed with strong social policies.
Education: The Way Out
Education is the strongest weapon against child labour. A child in school is a child protected. Pakistan needs to invest more in its public education system, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. Free and quality education should be available to all. Programs like school feeding, cash transfers to parents, and community-based learning centers have shown success in reducing child labour in other countries and should be expanded here. NGOs and civil society organizations can also play a major role by running schools and awareness campaigns. Without education, the cycle of poverty and child labour in Pakistan will never end.
The Mental and Physical Impact on Children
Children involved in labour suffer physically and emotionally. They are often overworked, underpaid, and abused. Many suffer from stunted growth, back pain, vision problems, and chronic fatigue. Mental stress, depression, and anxiety are also common, especially in cases of domestic labour where children are isolated and often beaten. Girls face a double burden of work and gender discrimination. The damage caused by child labour in Pakistan lasts a lifetime, affecting health, confidence, and future opportunities.
Society’s Role in Ending Child Labour
Ending child labour is not just the job of the government. Society must change its mindset. Hiring a child may seem like a convenience or even an act of charity, but in reality, it is supporting a harmful and illegal practice. People must stop normalizing child domestic workers or allowing children to work in their businesses. We should all speak up when we see a child working in unsafe conditions or being mistreated. Community leaders, teachers, and religious figures must also raise awareness about the rights of children and the value of education. Social media can be a powerful tool to highlight abuse cases and pressure authorities to act. Ending child labour in Pakistan will require a national change in values—one that sees children as students, not workers.
How Real Stories Spark Real Change
The stories of Tayyaba, Zohra Shah, and Iqbal Masih continue to move people and inspire action. These cases may have caught public attention, but they are not rare. They represent the lives of thousands of children whose pain remains hidden. Sharing these stories is important not just for awareness but to keep the conversation alive. Real stories create emotional impact and remind us that every child has a face, a name, and a dream. Highlighting them keeps pressure on lawmakers and enforcers to do more. These narratives prove that child labour in Pakistan is not a distant issue—it could be happening in the house next door.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Act
Child labour in Pakistan is a serious and widespread issue that continues to rob children of their future. Despite the existence of laws, many children still suffer in silence because of poverty, ignorance, and lack of accountability. Real-life cases from across the country show just how urgent the crisis is. The solution lies in a combined approach—stronger law enforcement, better education access, social support for families, and a shift in public attitudes. As a society, we can no longer turn a blind eye. It is time we all play our part. A child’s place is in school, not at work. And until every child is safe, educated, and free, our work is not done.
