Islamabad – On the occasion of Universal Children’s Day, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman emphasized that the day is meant to ensure equal rights for children worldwide. She warned that the overall situation for children in Pakistan is alarming, with serious barriers to the fulfillment of their basic rights.
She highlighted poverty, lack of education for girls, and inadequate healthcare facilities as major challenges facing children. According to the United Nations, 26 million children in Pakistan are out of school, one of the highest figures globally. In Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the literacy rate for girls remains extremely low.
Senator Rehman also pointed out that infant mortality in Pakistan is significantly higher than in many other countries, while shortages of clean water, healthcare, and proper nutrition are severely affecting children’s health. She noted that thousands of children die every year due to malnutrition.
Child labor remains a serious concern, with millions of children working under harsh conditions in factories, households, and agriculture instead of attending school. Violence against children, including physical abuse, sexual harassment, and assault, is also on the rise.
She criticized the poor implementation of the Child Protection and Welfare Act and the Child Labor Prohibition Act, which allows these issues to persist. Currently, over 40% of children in Pakistan suffer from stunting due to malnutrition, largely caused by early marriages of young mothers.
Sherry Rehman praised Sindh for passing a law in 2013 to prevent child marriage and noted that the federal government approved a similar law in 2025 after persistent efforts. She urged Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to enact similar legislation immediately.
She concluded that awareness campaigns for children’s education and well-being are urgently needed, and on Universal Children’s Day, serious measures must be taken to ensure a safe and better future for all children in Pakistan.
