On World Day Against Child Labour, observed annually on June 12, a briefing in Islamabad highlighted that an estimated 8.6 million children aged between 5 and 17 are engaged in child labour in Pakistan. The figures were shared by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other stakeholders during the event.
The ILO has previously reported that Pakistan is among countries with high rates of child labour, with many children working in hazardous conditions in agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic service. The COVID-19 pandemic and economic pressures have exacerbated the problem, pushing more families to rely on child labour for survival.
Pakistan has laws against child labour, but enforcement remains weak. The government has ratified ILO conventions on child labour and has national action plans, but implementation gaps persist. Activists call for stronger enforcement, better access to education, and social protection programs to address root causes.
The World Day Against Child Labour 2026 theme focuses on ending child labour in supply chains, urging businesses to ensure their products are free from child exploitation. The ILO estimates that globally, 160 million children are in child labour, with the number rising for the first time in two decades.
