Nearly 10 Million Children Out of School in Pakistan, Forced Into Labor
Nearly 10 million children in Pakistan are being deprived of education and are instead trapped in child labor and harsh working conditions, according to alarming figures released in a joint report by UNICEF and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
The report states that more than 8 million children across the country are victims of child labor, while over 6 million are working in extremely hazardous conditions.
According to the findings, poverty remains the leading cause behind child labor, with the greatest burden falling on low-income families and parents with limited education. Economic hardship is forcing many children to abandon school and contribute to household income.
The report further highlights that boys are more likely than girls to be engaged in hazardous jobs and other labor-intensive work.
A large number of children are working in family farms, workshops, factories, and domestic settings, where they are exposed to dangerous environments and exploitation.
Experts warn that child labor has severe consequences for children's physical and mental health. Long working hours, exhaustion, illness, and psychological stress continue to affect children who are denied access to education and a safe childhood.
Human rights advocates have urged immediate policy action to reduce poverty, strengthen labor laws, and ensure every child has access to education.