KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday led an awareness walk at Sea View to mark World Children’s Day, reaffirming the government’s firm resolve to protect children's rights and ensure their well-being across the province.
Upon arrival, the Chief Minister was received by Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Mir Tarique Ali Talpur, Social Welfare Secretary Agha Sohail, and other senior officials. The walk, organised by the Social Welfare Department, aimed to shed light on key issues affecting children — including protection, education, child labour, welfare, and rights. Citizens participating in the walk appreciated the Sindh government’s ongoing efforts for child protection and social development.
Speaking to the media, CM Murad Shah said children are the country’s most treasured asset and must be given every opportunity to grow in a safe and empowering environment.
“Children are our future, and protecting their rights remains our top priority. We want a society where every child feels safe, confident, and empowered. The world is beautiful because of children, and it becomes even more beautiful with their love and proper upbringing,” he said.
The Chief Minister shared details of a recent meeting he chaired on the alarming number of out-of-school children, revealing that 70,000 children in Sindh alone are currently out of the education system. He announced a special programme to bring them back into schools, with a target to reduce the number by half over the next three years. He urged philanthropists to support newly launched digital learning schools, introduced to expand access to education.
Issuing a serious warning, Mr Shah said that if the challenge is not addressed, the number of out-of-school children could rise to 50 million in the next five years. He said the provincial government has enacted special legislation to curb child labour and strengthen child protection mechanisms.
Referring to national-level progress, he noted that the National Assembly recently passed a bill banning underage marriages, while Sindh is strictly implementing its Child Marriage Restraint Act. “Some provinces have loopholes that people misuse, but in Sindh, we take action whenever the Child Marriage Act is violated,” he said.
Addressing the root causes behind children leaving school, the Chief Minister pointed to poverty and lack of facilities, stressing that these are being tackled through innovative digital learning initiatives. He acknowledged recent calls for tougher laws, but reiterated that economic barriers remain the biggest hurdle.
Highlighting reforms in the education sector, he said new teachers have been recruited through competitive examinations to improve public schooling standards. However, he noted that frequent protests by government teachers impact learning outcomes, reminding them that their primary responsibility is to teach children.
On child protection, CM Murad Shah said the government takes child abuse cases very seriously, and stressed the need for strict punishments to eliminate the menace. “Sindh is the only province where children are regularly taught about ‘good touch and bad touch’ — despite criticism at times,” he added.
Throughout the province, the Social Welfare Department organised various activities to observe World Children’s Day. The Sea View walk witnessed a large turnout, with children dressed in dedicated t-shirts and caps, alongside active participation from civil society and social welfare organisations.
