Maryam Nawaz vows action against child labour, praises federal budget

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday renewed her pledge to end child labour in the province, saying the government would continue efforts to protect children’s rights and ensure their access to education, healthcare and recreation.

In her message on the World Day Against Child Labour, the chief minister said eliminating child labour remained a government priority and called on parents to give children opportunities to study, receive medical care and enjoy healthy childhood activities. She said respect for children’s rights reflected a civilised and dignified society, and claimed Punjab had become the safest province for children.

Maryam Nawaz said children must not be exposed to violence, abuse or exploitation in any form. She described them as her red line and appealed to parents to raise them with affection instead of sending them to work. She also said strict legal action would be taken against those found employing children at brick kilns or any other workplace.

“Children are my red line”, she stated.

Referring to the theme, Fair opportunities for children, no to child labour, and dignified employment for youth, she said it underscored a shared duty to protect children and secure their future. The chief minister said the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and other social welfare bodies in Punjab were working to defend children’s rights and wellbeing.

She said the provincial government wanted children to hold books and laptops rather than bricks, stones or iron tools, adding that programmes such as the Honhaar Scholarship Programme and laptop distribution were helping encourage education. Maryam Nawaz also said the challenge of child labour could not be overcome through isolated efforts and required broader public awareness and collective action.

“Every child is our future. We want to see books and laptops in their hands, not bricks, stones or iron tools”, she added.

The chief minister said the Punjab government remained committed to meeting children’s needs in nutrition, education, upbringing and healthcare. She added that the School Meal Programme was being implemented across the province to tackle malnutrition among schoolchildren.

Budget remarks

In a separate statement, Maryam Nawaz congratulated Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and his team on the presentation of the fifth federal budget. She described it as a relief-focused package meant to extend the gains of economic recovery to ordinary people.

She also paid tribute to the prime minister and his economic team for what she called a welfare budget, saying the benefits of economic improvement should now reach the general public.