Islamabad, June 12, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting children from exploitation and ensuring that every child has access to education and opportunities for a brighter future.
In his message on the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour, observed annually on June 12, the Prime Minister said Pakistan stands with the international community in renewing its resolve to eliminate child labour and safeguard children’s rights.
Highlighting this year’s global theme, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” the Prime Minister noted that child labour remains a major global challenge. Citing figures from the International Labour Organization (ILO), he said nearly 138 million children worldwide are engaged in child labour, including around 54 million involved in hazardous work.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the complete eradication of child labour is essential for economic and social development, as well as for ensuring social justice. He said the progress of nations and the strength of future workforces depend on creating an environment where children can grow, learn and develop free from exploitation.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s commitment to addressing child labour is reflected in its ratification of key International Labour Organization conventions related to the minimum age for employment and the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.
He stated that the government is implementing a comprehensive strategy focused on the complete elimination of child labour through legislative reforms, effective law enforcement, social protection measures, education and economic empowerment initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of the problem.
The Prime Minister noted that promoting decent work and eliminating child labour remain key policy priorities of the government. He highlighted the role of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) in monitoring children’s rights and ensuring compliance with national and international obligations.
He further said that the Child Protection Institute at the federal level, along with provincial Child Protection Authorities, Child Protection and Welfare Bureaus, and Child Protection Units, are providing protection, support and rehabilitation opportunities to vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
According to the Prime Minister, provincial governments have also undertaken significant legal and administrative measures to combat child labour. District Vigilance Committees under bonded labour laws and specialized units dealing with child labour and bonded labour cases have been established across the country to strengthen child protection efforts.
Acknowledging poverty as one of the principal causes of child labour, Shehbaz Sharif said the government continues to implement social protection programmes, educational support initiatives and employment-generation schemes despite resource constraints.
He highlighted the contributions of the Waseela-e-Taleem programme under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and the Child Labour Schools operated by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal in helping vulnerable children access education.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of the Daanish Schools initiative, which he said is providing quality education to thousands of deserving children and helping them build a better future.
He noted that Pakistan’s collaboration with international partners, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF, the European Union and other development organizations, is contributing to stronger labour governance and accelerating efforts to eliminate child labour.
Calling for collective action, the Prime Minister urged employers, workers, parents, teachers, civil society organizations, religious leaders, media organizations and the private sector to support the government’s efforts to protect children from exploitation.
“Children are the architects of our nation’s future,” he said, emphasizing that safeguarding their rights and nurturing their talents is a shared national responsibility.
The Prime Minister concluded by calling for united efforts to build a Pakistan where every child is educ
