FCCP Demands Detailed Reports From Federal, Provincial Governments On Child Abduction And Forced Labor

Published July 16, 2026 | 03:40 PM

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jul, 2026) The Federal Constitutional Court has directed the federal and all provincial governments to submit detailed reports regarding the issues of child abduction, forced begging, child labor, and overall child protection.

The court has further instructed authorities to present a comprehensive, data-driven overview of the situation to the bench.

A three-member bench, presided over by Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, heard the case on Thursday.

During the proceedings, Justice Rizvi emphasized that the government must develop a complete database regarding children in vulnerable situations. The court inquired specifically about the number of children forced into begging or child labor, demanding a granular report on these figures.

Justice Rizvi expressed deep concern over the prevalence of forced child labor, noting that children as young as eight to ten years old are frequently observed performing manual labor in public. He pointed out that while the "contractors" who exploit children for begging profit from this illicit activity, the court’s intent is not to criminalize the children themselves.

Recalling a past campaign in Karachi 25 years ago where police arrested such children, Justice Rizvi remarked that these children are often driven by unavoidable circumstances. He urged the government to establish state-run shelter homes where these children can be protected, rehabilitated, and provided with vocational training, enabling them to lead lives of dignity.

During the hearing, the petitioner requested that the court also call for a record regarding the implementation of the "Zainab Alert" system.

Addressing this, Justice Rizvi remarked that while there has been some decline in incidents, the abduction of young girls has not been fully eradicated.

Following the initial proceedings, the Federal Constitutional Court adjourned the hearing for two months, pending the submission of the requested comprehensive reports from the federal and provincial authorities.