Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari issued a call for action on World Day Against Child Labour, emphasizing the need for Pakistan to protect children from exploitation and ensure their access to education.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, President Zardari highlighted the constitutional foundations for child protection in Pakistan, citing Article 11, which prohibits forced and hazardous child labour, and Article 25-A, which guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged five to sixteen. He stressed that these constitutional provisions place a clear responsibility on the State to safeguard childhood and promote education.

The President underscored the consequences of child labour, noting that work often forces children to leave school or lag behind, thereby limiting their opportunities and skills development. This, he said, puts additional pressure on families already facing challenges. President Zardari emphasized that keeping children in education is crucial not only for protection but also for long-term social and economic well-being.

Pakistan is taking measures at both federal and provincial levels to reduce child labour and bolster child protection efforts. The focus, President Zardari noted, is on prevention, law enforcement, and support for children returning to education and stable environments.

President Zardari urged parents, employers, teachers, religious leaders, civil society, and all citizens to contribute to the protection of children from exploitation and to keep them in school. He concluded by stating that the treatment of children is a measure of a society's values and that every child in Pakistan should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and secure their future.