In commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour 2025, the Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, visited the Ministry of Human Rights’ Child Protection Institute (CPI) in Islamabad.
During the visit, the Minister met with children residing at the facility, many of whom are survivors of grave human rights violations, including domestic abuse, underage and forced marriages, and exploitative labour. He interacted with the children, listened to their stories, and presented them with gifts as small tokens of care and encouragement. The visit offered the children a moment of comfort, connection, and reassurance within a safe and supportive environment.
During a briefing at the institute, the Minister highlighted that child labour remains one of the most pressing human rights challenges. He emphasized that it deprives children of their right to education, safety, and the opportunity to realize their full potential. The Minister underscored that child labour is deeply rooted in structural inequalities, including poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to education and social protection systems. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges through comprehensive legal and policy reforms.
The Minister cited the Employment of Children (Amendment) Act as a key legislative step, noting its expansion of hazardous occupations to include child domestic work and the increase in minimum working age to 14 years in Islamabad Capital Territory. Emphasizing that the response to child labour must extend beyond legislation, he called for proactive prevention through awareness campaigns, parental education, corporate accountability, and strengthened social protection systems. He also urged the public to report incidents of child abuse and exploitation via Helpline 1121, which provides immediate assistance and referral support to children in distress.
He further called for enhanced coordination among federal and provincial stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of child protection measures, stating that sustained, collaborative efforts are essential to achieving tangible results.
On this occasion, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s firm resolve to eliminate child labour in all its forms, in accordance with constitutional guarantees and international commitments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. He urged all sectors of society; government institutions, civil society, private entities, and communities to work together to build a future where every child is safe, educated, and empowered to pursue their dreams.
