INQUIRY INTO THE MAJOR CHILD RIGHTS CHALLENGES IN PAKISTAN

By Munir Moosa Sadruddiny edited by Vincent Lyn

This study identifies critical issues affecting children in Pakistan from 2004 to 2008. Aimed at informing practitioners and policymakers, it seeks to bring child rights and the plight of children in challenging circumstances to the forefront of public awareness. The research underscores the value and importance of children, revealing gaps in the implementation of child rights by the Pakistani government. It highlights that children’s issues have been overshadowed in recent years and that the Convention on the Rights of the Child has not been an effective safeguard. Key areas such as education, security, and social rights have been neglected, resulting in inadequate improvements in child rights. Despite a clear understanding of children’s needs, their rights, especially in social and security aspects, were not adequately addressed on social and political platforms. The study concludes that Pakistan has been largely unsuccessful in effectively addressing children’s issues, leaving them in a vulnerable state.

Introduction

“The child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society… in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity.” (Extracted from the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child) Right through history, child rights are overlooked and are not implemented to its fullest. Children Rights Convention (CRC) Article 1 defines, “A child is any human being below the age of eighteen years, unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.”

Child Rights may be defined as “The rights, which are concerned both with the protection of the individual child and with the creation of the conditions in which all children can develop to their full potential.”

Study on the Important Issues of Child Rights in Pakistan — Munir Moosa Sadruddin

The World Factbook 2008 reports that 27.3% of the global population is under 14 years old, with a birth rate of 20.18 births per 1,000 population.

Ramesh Thakur, Vice-Rector of the United Nations University, and Manzoor Ahmed, Director of UNICEF Japan, state that 2.2 billion people worldwide are under 18, with 2 billion living in developing countries.

According to the Population Association of Pakistan, 65% of Pakistani households have one or more adolescents, and an additional 23% have children under 10, who will become the next generation of adolescents. Out of Pakistan’s population of 130.6 million, 29.6 million are adolescents (ages 10–19).

The child rights movement is both a historical and contemporary effort focused on recognizing, expanding, or regressing child rights globally. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights serves as the foundation for all international legal standards concerning child rights. Significant documents in this movement include the “Declaration of the Rights of the Child,” drafted by Eglantyne Jebb in 1923 and adopted by the League of Nations in 1924.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted unanimously by the General Assembly on November 20, 1989, is the first legally binding international instrument encompassing the full spectrum of human rights — civil, cultural, economic, political, and social. It has been ratified by all governments except Somalia and the USA. The Convention outlines these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols, setting standards in healthcare, education, security, and legal, civil, and social services. It ensures that any individual under 18 can develop to their full potential without facing discrimination, hunger, neglect, exploitation, or other abuses.

Pakistan ratified the Convention on November 12, 1990, which took effect on December 12, 1990. Since then, the Pakistani government has recognized and promoted child rights at various levels. The government has implemented provisions of the Convention through numerous administrative, judicial, and legislative measures to address issues impeding children’s development. A National Plan of Action (NPA) for Child Protection was prepared to meet Pakistan’s commitments to child rights.

Issues such as child sexual abuse, exploitation, child pornography and prostitution, health, shelter, poverty, child labor, education, and child mortality are prevalent. A child protection bill was drafted in 2006 to establish an institutional framework aimed at preventing and protecting children from abuse and rehabilitating abused children, but it is still pending approval.

Recent reports indicate that child abuse is widespread and increasing in Pakistan, despite its Islamic heritage. However, the issue is rarely addressed due to its social and cultural taboo status and the misconception that it does not exist.

The juvenile justice system in Pakistan faces numerous and complex problems, all significant from a child rights perspective. The Juvenile Justice System Ordinance of 2000 addresses children in conflict with the law.

Child labor is a significant issue in Pakistan, with an estimated 10 million child laborers.

The state of child education in Pakistan is poor. The education system suffers from weak infrastructure, poor quality teaching, lack of qualified teachers, teacher absenteeism, corporal punishment, emotional and verbal abuse, strict conditions, and lack of learning materials, all of which push children out of school.

Corporal punishment has been prohibited in Sindh government schools since 2004. Despite these measures, physical violence remains widespread in both government and private schools, and institutions have failed to eliminate the practice.

This dire situation is primarily due to a lack of vision and the imbalanced policies and priorities of those in power. Every child has the right to live free from violence, including corporal punishment and humiliating and degrading treatment. The understanding, acceptance, and implementation of child rights can gradually eliminate violence against children in all forms and across all institutions.

Healthcare for the majority of children suffers from basic deficiencies, contributing to poor health indicators for Pakistan’s children, reflected in national health and economic productivity statistics. With an infant mortality rate of 84 per 1,000 live births, an under-five mortality rate of 125 per 1,000, and 38 percent of children under five being underweight, the state can be held accountable for failing to fulfill its basic duty of providing healthcare to its citizens, especially children.

Researchers believe that education, social, and protection rights are the most critical issues requiring serious consideration. Education can significantly empower and enlighten children’s lives, breaking barriers of poverty and discrimination, and providing opportunities for a better future. Children need a secure and healthy environment. Their voices must be heard and trusted, and every possible step must be taken to ensure their safety. They should be taught their basic rights from an early age, so their collective efforts can positively impact many lives.

Purpose of the Study

This study evaluated the effectiveness of implementing child rights through NGOs, public and private schools, and government institutions. Respondents from these sectors were involved to assess the state of child rights and determine whether these institutions have successfully upheld child rights in recent years. The study also developed steps and suggestions to implement child rights in current settings.

Condition of Children in the World

Human rights are crucial in today’s world, but the issue of children’s rights is often neglected. The legacy of child persecution reflects a depreciation and contempt for what is best in humanity. The international community’s failure to address atrocities against children perpetuates these atrocities and creates adults who resort to war and violence to solve problems. Many professionals are unfamiliar with the Children’s Convention, which protects children’s human rights, so it’s reasonable to assume that the general public is also unaware of it.

The condition of children worldwide is dire. Children are subjected to horrific violence, and their living conditions often reflect poorly on their governments. Population growth and rapid industrialization put increasing pressure on childhood and family life. A prominent symptom of social stress and family breakdown is the rising number of children working and living on city streets. Other children are harmed by forces beyond poverty and underdevelopment, including mass violence, warfare, disabilities, and various forms of exploitation and abuse.

According to a 2005 UNICEF report, children are the most affected by poverty. Over half a billion children (40 percent of all children) in developing countries live on less than $1 a day. The report highlights that 115 million primary-school-aged children are not enrolled in school, and another 150 million start primary school but drop out before completing four years of education. Nearly half of the children in the least developed countries lack access to primary education. Of the 115 million children out of school, the majority are in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with 76 percent. In South Asia alone, more than 42 million children are out of school. For every 100 boys out of school, 117 girls miss out on primary education.

The same report indicates that, despite increased life expectancy, 10 million children die annually before their fifth birthday, mainly from preventable causes, with malnutrition contributing to over half of these deaths. More than 50 percent of these deaths occur at home due to poor access to healthcare. Acute respiratory infections are the leading cause of death (2 million annually), followed by diarrheal diseases, malaria, measles, tuberculosis, and neonatal tetanus.

Child labor remains a significant issue in developing countries, with over 250 million children aged 5–14 working. Most working children in rural areas are found in agriculture, while urban children are engaged in trade and services, with fewer in manufacturing, construction, and domestic service. Although efforts have been made to reduce child labor, the problem persists.

Condition of Children in Pakistan

Pakistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in November 1990. The National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD) has collaborated with Provincial Commissions for Child Welfare and Development (PCCWDs) and NGOs to undertake various activities in this regard.

However, according to a study by several child rights organizations, Pakistan offers worse conditions for children than any other country in South Asia. This is partly due to the government’s failure to implement legislation and international conventions aimed at improving children’s conditions. Poverty, poor drinking water, physical and sexual abuse, and child trafficking are areas where both society and the government have failed to provide adequate conditions for children.

Statistics support the study’s findings. Nearly 8 million children, or 40 percent of the total population of children under five, suffer from malnutrition. About 63 percent of children between 6 months and 3 years have stunted growth, and 42 percent are anemic or underweight. Poor nutrition leaves these children vulnerable to diseases. The education sector is also in poor condition, with about 23 million children in Pakistan never having attended school.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, around three million children under 14 and 18 percent of children between 10 and 15 are working in Pakistan. The Federal Bureau of Statistics estimates there are approximately 3.5 million child laborers in the country. Child trafficking is another serious issue. Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid report that at least 360 children were smuggled to Arab countries in 2003 to be used as camel jockeys. Reports indicate these children were deprived of food and water to keep their weight down before races and were sometimes beaten for refusing to mount camels. Despite the enactment of the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance in 2002, there have been no convictions under this law. The study recommends enforcing existing legislation, adhering to international conventions, and enacting more specific laws to combat child smuggling. Rights organizations also call for laws to prevent the sale of children by impoverished parents and to punish those who facilitate child runaways.

The 2005 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report states that many laws meant to protect children remain largely unenforced. However, there has been a slight improvement due to growing awareness about children’s rights and some protective measures introduced by the government. During the first six months of 2005, 71 children were murdered after being sexually abused. Physical abuse of children remains widespread, and many children suffer from malnutrition, illness, and death due to their living conditions.

UNICEF’s 2005 annual report on the State of the World’s Children, released in December 2004, ranked Pakistan 46th out of 157 countries based on basic indicators for child welfare. The report revealed that 19 percent of children born in Pakistan between 1998 and 2003 were of low birth weight.

Child labor and corporal punishment are believed to be major factors contributing to the high school drop-out rate of over 50 percent in Sindh. Similar issues also cause children to leave school in other provinces. Most children in the country lack access to clean drinking water, adequate food, healthcare, and education.

The 2006 HRCP report highlights that children orphaned or separated from their parents in the October 8, 2005 earthquake remained at risk even a year after the disaster. Children continued to be victims of violent crimes. Despite Pakistan ratifying ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour in 2001, children were still employed in dangerous occupations, including mining. There was also an increase in incidents of gang rape, including cases involving minors.

Health statistics, particularly for women and children, were among the worst in the world. The literacy rate in 2005 was 53 percent, and the infant mortality rate was the highest among South Asian countries. There were approximately 1.7 million bonded laborers. Pakistan spent around two percent of its GDP on education, the lowest figure among South Asian countries.

According to the 2007 HRCP annual report, child healthcare remained poor and inadequate, leading to the spread of disease and high mortality rates. Pakistan’s under-5 mortality rate was recorded at 99 per 1,000 live births, higher than that of Bangladesh. Additionally, 38 percent of children in Pakistan were reported to be moderately or severely malnourished. Children, especially minor girls, continued to be victims of widespread sexual and physical abuse, with at least 258 cases of rape and gang rape and 138 deaths by killing reported. Child labor and trafficking were rampant across the country. Increasing numbers of street children were reported to be drug addicts, with almost 83 percent of street children between the ages of 8 and 19 reportedly sniffing glue.

Child labor is prevalent, with over 3.6 million children under 14 working in hazardous and exploitative conditions. Labor laws are largely ignored. Pakistan ranks 144th in global literacy. The education sector suffers from corruption, misuse of funds and resources, and inconsistencies in implementing education reforms. Annually, around 550,000 children in Pakistan die before reaching the age of five.

In 2008, Pakistan witnessed 6,780 cases of violence against minors, including sexual abuse, targeted murders, abductions, forced labor, and suicides. The exploitation of “child soldiers” in the conflict between Islamic fundamentalists and the army adds to this grim reality. The 2008 “Condition of Children in Pakistan” report by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) highlights the government’s failure to enforce national and international laws protecting minors’ rights. The report indicates that almost 30% of children under five are malnourished and that 30–40 percent of school-age children are not attending school.

Despite government claims, policies to protect minors are insufficient. Pakistan remains far from achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), including the goal of providing education for all by 2015.

Major Issues of Children in the World:

Education Rights

Since 2000, governments in the developing world have been working to meet the Millennium Development Goals to varying degrees. The Pakistani government has reiterated its commitment to improving education in the country. However, statistics reveal that much remains to be done. While over 16 million children attend primary school in Pakistan, millions more do not.

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, primary school enrollment in South Asia is as follows:

Comparative Table on Primary School Enrollment

Group Enrollment Rate Pakistan

Boys 68% South Asia Boys 86% Pakistan Girls 50% South Asia Girls 80%

Pakistan faces a serious challenge in achieving the adult literacy goal by 2015, as highlighted by the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2007. In a 2005 School Report Card by the South Asian Pacific Bureau of Adult Education, Pakistan ranked last among Asia-Pacific countries. This poor performance is unsurprising given the government’s minimal investment in public sector education, which stands at less than 2.3% of GDP. This figure falls well below the South Asian average of 3.6% and the average of 3.4% for low-income countries, according to the World Bank.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s 2007 report placed Pakistan at 144th in global literacy rankings. Data from the Ministry of Education (2008) reveals that over the past decade, the government has not allocated significant funds to education. Both the National Economic Survey and National Education Census lack detailed budget allocations within the education ministry and fail to identify priority areas for expenditure.

According to the 2008 report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Pakistan ranked lowest in the EFA Development Index, with the lowest allocation of education funds as a percentage of GNP in terms of public expenditure.

Physical, Mental, and Sexual Abuse

Children in Pakistan endure physical, mental, and sexual abuse. While there have been positive developments since 2005, such as increased recognition of the harmful effects of corporal punishment and sexual abuse, and federal initiatives to train police and enact child protection legislation, significant challenges remain. These include widespread denial of infanticide, underreporting of child sexual abuse, acceptance of child marriage, and complicity in child prostitution.

The table below outlines legislation relevant to child prostitution and sexual abuse:

National and Provincial Legislation

• Pakistan Panel Code, 1860
• Female Infanticide Prevention Act, 1870
• Reformatory Schools Act, 1897
• Offences of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979
• Punjab Children Ordinance, 1983
• Employment of Children Act, 1991
• Abolition of the Punishment of Whipping Act, 1996

In Pakistan, there are no specific laws addressing non-penetrative sexual abuse of children. Provisions in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) apply to rape (Section 376) and sodomy (Section 377), both of which require penetration for the offense to be punishable. Murder and kidnapping cases are also used to prosecute offenders. Despite the applicability of the PPC, authorities often rely on the Hudood Ordinances, which mandate punishment only upon confession or testimony from four pious male Muslim witnesses.

According to a study by the NGO Rozan, prevalent types of abuse in Pakistan include:

Types of Abuse (Rozan Study, Aangan Division, 2005)

According to the Study of an NGO45, Rozan, the types of abuse prevails in Pakistan are:

Types Of Abuse Provided By Aangan Division Of Rozan Source: Aangan, Rozan, 2005

Rozan Study- Types of Abuse

Victims

Male (%)

Female (%)

Touching

M — 31.5

F — 52.1

Kissing

M — 34.2

F — 23.3

Fondling

M — 20.5

F — 20.5

Looking for private parts of child

M — 0

F — 2.7

Abuser showing his/her private parts

M — 6.8

F — 12.3

Touching private parts of the child

M — 12.3

F — 6.8

Abuser asking child to touch private parts

M — 9.6

F — 11

Pornography

M — 4.1

F — 2.7

Rape/ intercourse

M — 1.4

F — 31.5

Sodomy/ anal sex

M — 41.1

F — 2.7

Verbal sexual abuse

M — 1.4

F — 4.1

Corporal Punishment

Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes protecting children from all forms of physical and mental violence while under parental or guardian care. Article 37 also prohibits torture or cruel treatment of children.

Despite these international norms, Section 89 of the Pakistan Penal Code (1860) allows parents, teachers, and guardians to use corporal punishment on children under 12 for disciplinary purposes. This practice extends to families and schools, often resulting in severe injuries. Additionally, whipping remains a sentence for Hudood crimes, despite the Abolition of Whipping Act in 1996.

Efforts to address corporal punishment are recognized in Pakistan’s National Child Protection Policy, aimed at safeguarding children from such practices.

A survey conducted by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SOPC) in 2005 revealed the following ratios of corporal punishment inflictors:

Ratio of Inflictors of Corporal Punishment

• Teacher
• Principal
• Monitor
• Watchman
• Senior Students
• School maid
• Others

(Source: SOPC 2005, Islamabad)

Plan International launched the “Learn without Fear” campaign in Dakar on October 7, 2008, focusing on 66 countries, including Pakistan, to advocate for global change improving children’s lives.

Child Labor

Child labor remains deeply entrenched in Pakistani society, where many children accept it as their fate. Economic exploitation through child labor constitutes one of the most severe forms of abuse and neglect in the country, with children engaged in various economic sectors, often in hazardous conditions.

According to the Economic Survey 2005–2006, the percentage of people living below the poverty line in Pakistan declined from 34.46 percent in 2001 to 23.9 percent in 2004–2005.

The Federal Ministry of Labor’s report on the Implementation of the Employment of Children Act, 1991 in 2005 provides the following details:

Implementation of the Employment of Children Act, 1991 (Province-wise/Year-wise)

YearProvinceNumber of InspectionsNumber of ProsecutionsNumber of ConvictionsPenalty Imposed2005Punjab186981633942502005SindhNilNilNilNil2005NWFP7747617002005BalochistanNANANANA2005Total19472170455950

(Source: Federal Ministry of Labor, 2004)

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are approximately 127 million children aged 5–14 years engaged in economic activities across the Asia-Pacific region.

In its 2007 report, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan noted that despite a decade of attention to the issue, child labor remains pervasive in Pakistan. Studies indicate that child laborers are less likely to complete primary education, face lower future incomes, and suffer from serious health issues due to hazardous working conditions. The last comprehensive survey in 1996 reported 3.3 million child laborers, a number likely to have increased significantly since then.

Child healthcare in Pakistan remains inadequate, contributing to high mortality rates and widespread malnutrition. According to UNICEF’s 2005 report, Pakistan ranks 47th globally in under-5 mortality, with a rate of 99 deaths per 1,000 live births. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan highlighted the persistent challenges in child healthcare, including poor infrastructure and insufficient budget allocations, with only 0.57% of GDP spent on health in 2006–07.

The Pakistan Medical Association’s Annual Health Report 2007 further underscores the country’s health challenges, including high maternal mortality rates and low immunization coverage.

Overall, the situation for children in Pakistan is dire, with significant gaps in education, healthcare, and protection from abuse. Despite sporadic efforts, systemic issues persist, limiting progress in safeguarding children’s rights and well-being.

Notes & References

1 “Convention on the Rights of the Child”, accessed January 10, 2009, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund website: www.unicef.org/crc 2 V. Yates, CRIN Newsletter, Number 18, (London: Children Rights Information Network, (March 2005), 8.

3 “The World Fact Book”, Central Intelligence Agency Office of Public Affairs, accessed March 5, 2009, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world factbook/print/us.html

4 “World Population Awareness: Children”, World Overpopulation Awareness, Retrieved May 10, 2009, http://www.overpopulation.org/children.html 5 “Statistics of Adolescent”, Population Association of Pakistan, accessed May 11, 2009, http://www.pap.org.pk/statistics/adolescent.htm

6 M. H. Joseph, The Children’s Rights Movement: A History of Advocacy and Protection, (Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1991) 39.

7 D.Searle, C.Barry & M. Jempson, The Media and Children Rights, 2nd ed., (UK: Media Wise, 2005)

8 S. Hafeez, & Q. Shujaat, Annual Report 2007. (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2008) 10.

9 S.M. Ali, “Development: Protecting Pakistan’s Children”, accessed May 23, 2009,

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C12%5C09%5Cstory_ 9–12–2008_pg3_3

10 A. Jillani, 10 Years Report. Heading Sexual Abuse (1st ed.), (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2003) 30 11 S. Hafeez, & Q. Shujaat, Annual Report 2007 op.cit., 22.

12 Ibid.

13 A. Jillani, F.Naz, T. Shehzad, & N. Jehan, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2006, (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2007) 104.

14 A. Jillani, S. Malik, I.Raza, & A.Moeen, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2007, (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2008) 14.

15 A. Jillani, F.Naz, T. Shehzad, & N. Jehan, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2006, op.cit., 19.

16 G. Zahid, Building Bridges Alternatives to Corporal Punishment in Schools: Trainers’ Toolkit, (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2007) 13.

17 Z. Mustafa, “Tragic At Best”, Dawn News. (Karachi: Herald Publisher, December 7, 2008) 1

18 Von Struensee, M.G. Vanessa, “Highlights of the United Nations Children’s Convention and International Response to Children’s Human Rights”, Suffolk Transnational Law Review, Vol. 18, p. 589, 1995. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=657363

19 M. Black, 1946–2006 Sixty Years for Children, (New York: UNICEF, 2006) 21

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20 Harry Anthony Patrinos, “Living Conditions of Children”, Policy Research Working Paper Series 4251, (The World Bank, 2007) 1.

21 Ibid, 2

22 Ibid, 3

23 “Pakistani Children the Worst in South Asia”, Asia Child Rights-ACR Weekly Newsletter Vol. 3, №16, 2004

24 K. Hyat, State of Human Rights in 2005, (Lahore: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 2006) 9–11.

25 Ibid, 202.

26 K. Hyat, State of Human Rights in 2006, (Lahore: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 2007) 20.

27 Ibid, 21

28 F. Gulrez, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2006, (Islamabad: SPARC Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2007) 50.

29 K. Hyat, State of Human Rights in 2006, op.cit. 21.

30 K. Hyat, State of Human Rights in 2007, (Lahore: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 2008) 6.

31 Ibid, 7

32 Ibid, 8

33 “Pakistan’s Violence against Children”, Asia News, accessed November 19, 2009, from http://www.speroforum.com/a/19589/Pakistans-violence-against children

34 F. Gulrez, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2005 (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2006) 82.

35 “Net Primary Enrolment Rate in Pakistan”, derived from F. Gulrez, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2005 (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of Children, 2006).

36 “Comparative Table on Primary School Enrolment”, derived from Information from UNESCO, (Institute for Statistics, 2005).

37 F. Gulrez, “SPARC’s Discourse”, Issue 27, (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, September, 2007) 43.

38 K. Hyat, State of Human Rights in 2006, op.cit.

39 “Indicator of Education from 1980- 2007”, derived from Ministry of Education, (Government of Pakistan, 2008)

40 I. Raza, “The Trivialized Goal”, in F. Gulrez, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2008, (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2009) 77.

41 N. Din, & S. Ansari, State of Human Rights in 2008, (Lahore: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 2009) 6–7.

42 F. Gulrez, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2005 op.cit.163. 43 “National and Provincial Legislation” derived from ESCAP, Child Sexual Exploitation in Pakistan, (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 2001) 10.

44. Working Group against Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, (Sweden: Save the Children, 2005) 182.

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45 “Types of Abuse”, derived from Aangan, Rozan, in F. Gulrez, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2005, (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2006) 175.

46 T. Parvez, M.Mogwanja, Analysis of Enforcement Gaps in Child Related Protection Laws 2006, (Islamabad: Federal Investigation Agency, Ministry of Interior, 2006) 13.

47 “Global Initiative to end all Corporal Punishment of Children: Ending Legalized Violence against Children”, Global Report 2007 13. 48 “Ratio of the Inflicters of Corporal Punishment”, derived from F. Gulrez, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2005, (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2006) 170.

49 F. Saleem, “No Safe Place”, in F. Gulrez, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2008, (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2009) 32.

50 F. Gulrez, The State of Pakistan’s Children 2006, (Islamabad: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, 2007) 49.

51 “Economic Survey 2005–2006”, Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan, accessed November 20, 2009,

http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/sur_chap_05-06/04-Poverty 52 “Implementation of the Employment of Children Act, 1991” derived from Federal Ministry of Labor, (Government of Pakistan, 2004).

53“Action against Child Labor: Progress and Future Priorities”, (Geneva: ILO, 2003)

54 N.Din, & S. Ansari, State of Human Rights in 2007, (Lahore: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 2008) 164.

55 Ibid, 132.

56 “Mortalities Rate of Children in Pakistan”, derived from Tracking Progress in Child Survival the 2005 Report, (UNICEF. 2005) 94.

57 The State of the World’s Children 2007, (New York: UNICEF, 2008). 58 K. Hyat, State of Human Rights in 2006, op.cit.6.

59 Ibid, 187.

60 “Health Indicators”, derived from Annual Health Report 2007, Pakistan Medical Association.

61 “Infant Mortality Rate of Pakistan”, derived from CIA World Factbook (December 18, 2008)

Munir Moosa Sadruddin

Ph.D Research Scholar Institute of Education and Social Sciences

Hamdard University, Karachi

Email: munirmoosa@yahoo.com

Vincent Lyn

CEO & Founder of We Can Save Children

Deputy Ambassador of International Human Rights Commission (IHRC)

Director of Creative Development at African Views Organization

Economic & Social Council at United Nations (ECOSOC)

Rescue & Recovery Specialist at International Confederation of Police & Security Experts