This practice, known as bonded labour, is illegal in Pakistan but the landlords wield great political power. Thousands of cases of bonded labourers (half of them children) have been reported to the authorities. Despite this, three successive Chief Ministers have failed to provide rehabilitation.

Most people recognise that it can be beneficial for children to gain some experience of the world of work before becoming adults, but there can be no excuse for the degree of exploitation we witness today.

Anti-Slavery has launched the Urgent Action on Child Labour Campaign to end this type of abuse. Your support would be appreciated. E-mail us for further details at info@antislavery.org .

Click here to reach the page containing our entry in the Project HappyChild Directory.