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Bonded labour, forced conversions & more: The abuse faced by minority children in Pakistan

A report by Pakistan's National Commission on the Rights of the Child reveals severe discrimination against minority children, especially Christians and Hindus, within the Islamic Republic. It presents a grim picture of how these minors endure systemic bias, institutional neglect, and targeted abuse, often with little to no legal protection read more The document, titled 'Situation Analysis of Children from Minority Religions in Pakistan', offers a stark account of how deep-rooted bias, neglect, and targeted abuse have become part of life for these children. Image for Representation/Reuters Pakistan's National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) has released a hard-hitting report that lays bare the everyday reality of discrimination faced by minority children, particularly Christians and Hindus, across the Islamic country. The document, titled 'Situation Analysis of Children from Minority Religions in Pakistan', offers a stark account of how deep-rooted bias, neglect, and targeted abuse have become part of life for these children. It points to failures in law enforcement, bias in institutions, and a lack of meaningful protections for those most at risk. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It urges the government to take immediate action, though there are doubts over whether this will lead to real change or just remain promises on paper. Here's what the report found. Forced conversions, abductions One of the most alarming findings in the NCRC report is the continued abduction of underage girls from minority communities, who are then forcibly converted to Islam and married to older Muslim men. 'The victims have few legal options due to bias in law enforcement, overwhelming social pressure and lack of political will,' the report states, as cited by Christian Daily International. Between April 2023 and December 2024, the commission received 27 official complaints involving murder, abduction, forced conversion, and child marriage. But the real scale of abuse is likely much greater, as many families remain silent out of fear of retaliation. Punjab emerged as the worst-hit province, accounting for 40 per cent of reported violence against minority children between January 2022 and September 2024. Police data cited in the report lists 547 Christian victims, 32 Hindus, two Ahmadis, and two Sikhs, along with 99 others. Also read: 'Exodus: Is Pakistan's Hindu community leaving Sindh?' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bonded labourers trapping generations The report also highlighted the entrenched practice of bonded labour, where Christian and Hindu children are forced to work in brick kilns and agriculture. Families already struggling with generational poverty and discrimination receive little to no protection from the state. According to a July report by The Christian Post, Pakistan's Christian minority, making up just 1.27 per cent of the population, faces severe religious discrimination, poor access to education, and economic exclusion. Many families end up in bonded labour after taking small loans, often between $800 (Rs 70,078) and $1,000 (Rs 87,597), to cover essentials like food, rent, or medical expenses. Pakistan's National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) report says minority families are already struggling with generational poverty and discrimination receive little to no protection from the state. File image. AFP They earn as little as $3 (Rs 262) to $5 (Rs 437) an hour, but interest deductions reduce their actual take-home pay to around $1.50 (Rs 131) a day, according to Global Christian Relief. Schools that exclude instead of protect Rather than being safe spaces, schools often reinforce the discrimination that minority children face. The report notes that both teachers and classmates can ridicule or isolate students once their religious identity becomes known. Testimonies collected in the report and shared by Christian Daily International describe how minority and lower-caste children avoid sitting at the front of classrooms, hesitate to ask questions, and sometimes won't drink water from shared glasses out of fear of being mocked or pressured to convert. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The NCRC report notes that both teachers and classmates can ridicule or isolate students once their religious identity becomes known. File image/AFP 'They also have to deal with curricula that could reinforce negative preconceptions about their religion. Isolation, below-average academic achievement, and, in many cases, school dropout are the expected outcomes of such an educational setting,' the report states. The NCRC criticised Pakistan's Single National Curriculum for erasing religious diversity, forcing minority students to study Islamic content that conflicts with their beliefs, ultimately impacting their grades and future prospects. Pirbhu Lal Satyani, the NCRC's minority rights representative for Sindh, described these children as 'the most marginalised,' facing 'stigma, stereotyping, and structural exclusion.' Chairperson Ayesha Raza Farooq acknowledged that progress has been slow, citing 'fragmented efforts, lack of coordination, and limited political will' as major obstacles. In its recommendations, the NCRC called on the government to strengthen legal protections, expand social safety nets, adopt inclusive education policies, and take targeted measures to end bonded child labour and forced religious conversions. With input from agencies