Child rights in Pakistan are under serious threat as cases of abuse, forced marriage, and child beggary continue to rise across the country. Despite existing laws, weak implementation and lack of awareness have left many children vulnerable to exploitation and violence. According to a recent report by Sahil, nearly two thousand cases of child abuse were recorded in the first half of 2025, most of them involving girls aged between eleven and fifteen.

In Sheikhupura, Punjab, a heartbreaking case was reported where a five-year-old girl was forced to marry a thirteen-year-old boy. The child’s grandfather admitted that he and her father had arranged the marriage. The police intervened and arrested one suspect, but the case revealed how harmful traditional practices still exist in some areas despite being illegal.

Another disturbing incident took place in Karachi and Peshawar, where police successfully stopped two planned child marriages involving thirteen-year-old girls. In Karachi, the authorities acted quickly after a tip-off, while in Peshawar, a seventy-two-year-old man was arrested under the Child Marriage Restraint Act. These timely interventions saved two girls from a lifetime of trauma, but many others remain unprotected.

The issue of child beggary is equally alarming. In Karachi, police recently uncovered a gang that kidnapped a three-year-old boy named Hussain and forced him to beg on the streets. His uncle found him months later near a mosque. In Islamabad, organized groups continue to send children to beg in markets and near mosques, especially during Ramadan, exploiting people’s generosity for profit.

These stories show that children in Pakistan face multiple layers of exploitation—from abuse and forced marriage to trafficking and street begging. The government, civil society, and media must work together to protect children and ensure that every child can grow up in safety, dignity, and hope.