Child Labor and Protection Laws of Pakistan MCQs are essential for CSS aspirants studying Pakistan Affairs, Governance, and Human Rights. Child labor is a serious concern in Pakistan, with millions of children working under hazardous conditions, domestic work, and in an informal economy. Despite laws in place, poor enforcement, poverty, and illiteracy result in child exploitation. The Constitution of Pakistan, International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, and national laws all offer protection, but there are still challenges. It is crucial for CSS candidates to understand child labor laws, legal protections, and policy loopholes.
H2: Child Labor Laws and Legal Protections in Pakistan
The Pakistan Constitution has various provisions against child labor. Article 11(3) prohibits child labor in hazardous occupations and Article 25-A ensures free and compulsory education for children between the ages of 5 and 16. Some major child labor laws are:
The Employment of Children Act, 1991 – Bans employment of children below 14 years in hazardous occupation.
Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Act, 2016 and Sindh Prohibition of Employment of Children Act, 2017 – Enhance protection by prescribing hazardous occupations and enhancing penalties for non-compliance.
Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, 1992 – Encompasses forced and bonded labor, a leading cause of child labor in brick kilns, agriculture, and domestic servitude.
All these acts notwithstanding, enforcement is poor due to corruption, absence of monitoring, and socio-economic factors.
H3: Challenges and Future Reforms for Child Protection
Pakistan ratified ILO Conventions 138 & 182, which emphasized the minimum age of employment and worst forms of child labor eradication. Nevertheless, enforcement measures are ineffective owing to poverty, ignorance, and employment in the informal sector. The government, with the assistance of UNICEF, ILO, and NGOs, is developing education incentives, social welfare schemes, and rehabilitation programs to eliminate child labor. Future reforms demand strict enforcement of the law, more funding for education, and vocational training programs. MCQ practice and free flashcards on child labor and protection laws in Pakistan will assist CSS aspirants in mastering legal frameworks, policy measures, and governance issues related to child rights and labor regulations.
What is the legal minimum age for employment in Pakistan under the Employment of Children Act, 1991?
A) 12 years
B) 14 years
C) 16 years
D) 18 years
Which law specifically prohibits child labor in hazardous occupations in Pakistan?
A) Employment of Children Act, 1991
B) Child Protection Act, 2016
C) Factories Act, 1934
D) Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018
Which international organization works to eliminate child labor worldwide, including in Pakistan?
A) WHO
B) ILO
C) UNESCO
D) FAO
Under which article of the Constitution of Pakistan is child labor prohibited?
A) Article 11(3)
B) Article 25A
C) Article 37
D) Article 19
Which government body is responsible for monitoring child labor in Pakistan?
A) Ministry of Finance
B) Ministry of Human Rights
C) Ministry of Commerce
D) Federal Board of Revenue
What is the primary cause of child labor in Pakistan?
A) Lack of schools
B) Poverty
C) Cultural norms
D) Parental neglect
Which Pakistani province passed the Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Act, 2016?
A) Sindh
B) Punjab
C) Balochistan
D) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
What is the punishment for employing a child in hazardous labor under Pakistani law?
A) Fine of Rs. 10,000
B) 1-year imprisonment and/or fine
C) Death penalty
D) No punishment
Which sector in Pakistan has the highest percentage of child labor?
A) Agriculture
B) Textile
C) Construction
D) Domestic work
Which organization runs programs for child protection in Pakistan?
A) UNICEF
B) NATO
C) IMF
D) Red Cross
What is the main reason children are employed in brick kilns in Pakistan?
A) They enjoy the work
B) Bonded labor due to family debts
C) Government policy
D) Lack of adult workers
Which Pakistani law protects children from forced labor?
A) Bonded Labour System Abolition Act, 1992
B) Consumer Protection Act
C) National Finance Commission Act
D) Corporate Tax Law
Which UN Convention on child rights did Pakistan ratify in 1990?
A) Convention on Child Labor
B) Convention on the Rights of the Child
C) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
D) Geneva Convention
What percentage of Pakistan’s workforce consists of child laborers?
A) 5%
B) 12%
C) 18%
D) 30%
Which law sets the minimum working age in factories in Pakistan?
A) Factories Act, 1934
B) Mines Act, 1923
C) Industrial Relations Act, 2012
D) Environmental Protection Act, 1997
Which city in Pakistan has the highest number of child laborers?
A) Lahore
B) Karachi
C) Faisalabad
D) Peshawar
What is the maximum working hours allowed for children under labor laws in Pakistan?
A) 2 hours per day
B) 4 hours per day
C) 6 hours per day
D) 8 hours per day
Which type of work is prohibited for children under 18 in Pakistan?
A) Teaching
B) Brick kilns
C) Office jobs
D) Newspaper selling
Which Pakistani province passed the Sindh Prohibition of Employment of Children Act in 2017?
A) Punjab
B) Sindh
C) Balochistan
D) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Which organization in Pakistan works to reduce child labor?
A) Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
B) Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC)
C) National Highway Authority (NHA)
D) Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
Which type of business is legally banned from employing children in Pakistan?
A) Grocery stores
B) Carpet weaving industries
C) Cafeterias
D) Bookshops
Which major Pakistani city has the highest rate of street child labor?
A) Islamabad
B) Lahore
C) Karachi
D) Quetta
What is the main impact of child labor on children’s education?
A) Improves literacy rates
B) Prevents children from attending school
C) Encourages college enrollment
D) Reduces dropout rates
Which Pakistani authority is responsible for child labor monitoring?
A) Federal Investigation Agency
B) Child Protection and Welfare Bureau
C) Election Commission of Pakistan
D) Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
Which of the following is NOT a solution to child labor?
A) Increasing school enrollment
B) Enforcing labor laws
C) Providing financial support to families
D) Encouraging more industries to hire children
What is the most common age group involved in child labor in Pakistan?
A) 3-6 years
B) 7-11 years
C) 12-16 years
D) 17-19 years
What is a common health issue among child laborers?
A) Obesity
B) Malnutrition
C) High blood pressure
D) Diabetes
Which factor can help reduce child labor in Pakistan?
A) Higher minimum wage for adults
B) Increasing child labor
C) Reducing school funding
D) Limiting access to healthcare
