Child Labor in Balochistan
Pakistan is an independent state with 4 provinces viz Balochistan, KPK, Sindh, and Punjab. But unlucky Balochistan is being one of those gifted provinces of Pakistan where every individual finds out the natural resources which are gifted by the Allah the almighty such as gold, silver, petrol, diesel and many more. It hurts me to mention that, our beloved province is facing critical issues and child labor is one of them. Unquestionably, numerous children in Balochistan are forced to work at an early age to feed their families. Due to this, today Baloch youth are compelled to resign their education to be a part of mechanical garages to feed their hungry abdomen or belly.
Recently (25th September 2020) Balochistan Assembly passed a resolution against child labor, at the middle of this association PakMAP Nasrullah represented child labor and said ” Children under 7 years of age work in different coal mines of Balochistan which is not just a calamity but a violation of the child act”. One more cause, this is the right time to be a part of educational institutions to brighten their future but they are busy in bringing incomes for their families. Here a report has been estimated in 2013 by the International Labor Organization (ILO) 500 children were working in a coalmine in Loralai district alone as well Society for Empowering Human Resources estimated that 10,000 are child labor in Quetta. Actually, our beloved Balochistan does not have legislation against the child labour, for that issue of this is being increased rather than decreased.
It is already written in article 25 (A) of the constitution which states that the state has to provide compulsory education to all children between the ages 5/16 years. It means before the age of under 16/17 no child is allowed to work but if we look at the background of Balochistan it lacks such institutions. In the end, it is my friendly suggestion to all of our current governments to take serious actions against it and admit every child in educational institutions where they finalize a better life in order to live.