The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), together with the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC), marked World Day Against Child Labour 2026 in Islamabad by urging coordinated action to eliminate child labour across Pakistan.
Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Convenor of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, said that children are Pakistan’s future and that protecting them is essential for sustainable development. She called for strengthened legislation, better policy frameworks and consistent oversight to safeguard children, stressing that tackling child labour requires a whole-of-society response that also addresses poverty, gaps in education and weak social protection.
Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Member of the National Assembly, pushed for more robust child protection mechanisms and strict enforcement of existing laws so children are kept in safe learning environments instead of being forced into work by economic hardship. She highlighted the need for expanded social safety nets, measures to boost school enrolment and retention, and improved coordination between institutions to reduce child labour.
Mr. Riaz Fatyana underscored the importance of translating legislative commitments into measurable action, saying that child labour mirrors deep socio-economic inequalities and governance weaknesses. He emphasized improved monitoring, enforcement and increased investment in education and social protection to ensure the effective implementation of child protection policies.
Ms. Asiya Arif, Executive Director of SPARC, urged a collective red card to child labour and called attention to sectors where children remain vulnerable, including supply chains, hotels, automobile workshops and the brick kiln industry. She emphasised that robust enforcement, consistent social protection and universal access to quality education in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and Article 16 of the Constitution are critical to ending exploitation.
Dr. Khalil Ahmad Dogar noted that the 2026 theme links child protection to decent work for adults, pointing out that without adequate adult employment and social safeguards many families are forced to rely on child labour. Representatives from NCRC and labour research groups reiterated the need to implement SDG target 8.7 and strengthen institutional responses to forced labour.
Nadia Bibi of NCRC and Sobia Ahmad of the Centre for Labor Research echoed calls for collaborative action by government, parliamentarians, civil society and the private sector. Members of SPARC’s Children’s Clubs shared personal accounts of the challenges faced by working children and urged the state to ensure equal educational and development opportunities so children can become active contributors to Pakistan’s future.
The event concluded with a renewed appeal for sustained political commitment and increased investment in children’s wellbeing, with speakers insisting that ending child labour demands practical enforcement, improved monitoring systems and long-term social protection to break the cycle of deprivation affecting millions of children in Pakistan.
