Child Labour Laws: Court Seeks Reply From Top Officials
The Lahore High Court has issued notices to the Attorney General, Advocate General of Punjab, Inspector General of Police, Director General of Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and others on a petition against the government’s failure to enforce child labour laws.
Representing a citizen, Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued before the court that the government had turned a blind eye to the issue of child labour, which was being used for many construction activities.
He pointed out that underage labourers could be witnessed working at various projects, including the Gulberg Signal Free Corridor and Orange Line Metro Train. He said it was a violation of law as well as infringement of fundamental rights.
The counsel stated that the children working at brick kilns and those being exploited for begging manifested that the CPWB also failed to perform its statutory duties.
He pleaded that the provisions of Employment of Children Act 1991, as well as Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act 2004, needed to be enforced strictly across the province.
Justice Shujaat Ali Khan adjourned hearing till March 30 and directed the respondents to submit their replies on the matter.
This news was previously published in DAWN and it is being republished here with permission.
