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Child exploitation increasing in absence of Child Rights

06:19 PM | 22 Aug, 2015
Child exploitation increasing in absence of Child Rights
LAHORE (News Lens Pakistan) - Ummay Rubaba, a 12 – year- old girl was brutally beaten black and blue by her employer until The Child Protection and Welfare Bureau intervened and rescued her.

Rubaba is not the only one who faced this kind of treatment. It might be the story of every second of third child working at houses and other places.

Secretary General Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) I. A. Rehman told News Lens Pakistan that a bill against violence on Child Domestic Workers was presented in the Punjab Assembly in January 2014, but, no one seemed ready to pay attention to it.

“Policies to promote children education and checking sexual abuse and torture were nowhere in this country,” Rehman added. He further said that Prevention of Children Marriage Amendment Bill 2010 was still waiting to be passed.

“The dilemma is that not a single legislation has been introduced in last six years for the children under 18. Child Protection Policy is badly needed to protect children. Severe punishments must be included in the Criminal Law in this regard,” he further added.


Moreover Rehman said, “Both Criminal Law Bill 2009 and Child Protection Policy are not being taken up by the government. In addition, a bill to set up National Commission for the Rights of the Children 2001 is still pending. Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill 2010 was approved in National Assembly but approval by Senate is still pending.”

Pakistan was one of the first twenty signatories in 1990 that sanctioned UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) conventions taken up by the United Nations General Assembly. But, Child Rights Laws are yet to be passed in the country.

The Regional Manager SPARC (Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child) Sajjad Ahmad Cheema told News Lens Pakistan that according to the SPARC annual report, more than four million children are part of the work force. “Poverty compelled parents to send their children to work instead of schools,” he added.

According to a report of SAHIL, a non-governmental organization based in Islamabad, Child sexual exploitation is intensifying especially in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkha provinces. The report states that 2800 cases of child sexual abuse were registered at police stations in 2013 and 2987 in 2014. He further said, “Cases of sexual ill-treatment were registered and reported more in urban areas because of the responsiveness and quick reach of media.”


Konpal is a non-governmental organization based in Karachi that works against all kinds of abuse against children. According to Konpal Program Director, Shahnaz Yasin, child begging is also a vital issue of Pakistan that needs serious response.

“It’s really unfortunate that capital area of our country doesn’t carry Child Protection System. In fact, federal government has allocated only 0.67% for child specific plans”, she further stated. “Data related to child beggars is unavailable, but it is obvious that the number of child beggars is increasing everywhere, especially in Sindh. Moreover, child marriages and sexual abuse are dark faces of our society.”

Minister for Human Rights Punjab, Khalil Tahir Sindhu told News Lens Pakistan about the existing laws i.e. Child Marriage Act, Corporal Punishment Bill and Labor Laws. “Yes, I do agree that the structure to implement these laws isn’t result oriented. Complete ban on child labor, punishment for child marriage, child abuse and torture will be introduced in near future,” he expressed the resolve. “Domestic Labor Laws, Child Begging Law and Sexual Harassment Act will be introduced this year.”


Federal Minister for Human Rights, Pervaiz Rasheed held that awareness of civic rights in the society could play a key role to improve the system. “Government recognizes the significance of child rights and serious work is in process. Human Rights ministry is working to formulate laws of child protection. New legislation and pending laws will be in the parliament soon,” he told News Lens Pakistan.

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Pakistani rupee inches up against US dollar, Euro, Pound and other currencies - Check forex rates here

Pakistani rupee advanced its winning momentum against US dollar, and other currencies in the open market amid strong economic cues.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Saturday, the US dollar was being quoted at 285.15 for buying and 287.95 for selling.

Euro moves down to 309.9 for buying and 310.5 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 359.4 for buying, and 360.05 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED also moved down to 77.45 whereas the Saudi Riyal drops to 75.82.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan – 2 December 2023

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 285.15  287.95 
Euro EUR 309.9  310.5 
UK Pound Sterling GBP 359.4  360.05 
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.45  77.6
Saudi Riyal SAR 75.82 75.97
Australian Dollar AUD 187.72 188.22
Bahrain Dinar BHD 759.94 767.94
Canadian Dollar CAD 209.99 210.49
China Yuan CNY 39.78 39.88
Danish Krone DKK 41.95 42.05
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.38 36.48
Indian Rupee INR 3.39 3.5
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 926.39 935.39
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.38 60.98
New Zealand Dollar NZD 173.44 175.44
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.25 26.55
Omani Riyal OMR 742.16 750.18
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 78.5 79.2
Singapore Dollar SGD 212.45 212.95
Swedish Korona SEK 27.09 27.19
Swiss Franc CHF 325.38 325.88
Thai Bhat THB 8.05 8.09

Gold registers big fall in Pakistan; check today gold rates in Pakatan - 2 December 2023

The price of gold fell by thousands of rupees as precious metal lost shine despite an upward trend in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 2 December 2023

On Saturday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,300 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,300.

Meanwhile, single tola of 22 Karat gold costs Rs199,190, 21 karat rate costs Rs190,138 and 18k gold rate is Rs162,975.

Globally, gold prices hover at around $2072, gaining $32 on Saturday.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Karachi PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Islamabad PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Peshawar PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Quetta PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Sialkot PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Attock PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Gujranwala PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Jehlum PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Multan PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Bahawalpur PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Gujrat PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Nawabshah PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Chakwal PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Hyderabad PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Nowshehra PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Sargodha PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Faisalabad PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Mirpur PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705

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