PESHAWAR – The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has sought a formal reply from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over the growing number of street children in the province who remain deprived of education and basic protection. The case has once again brought focus to the neglected issue of street children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the gap between legislation and implementation of child rights in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Mohammad Faheem Wali, heard the petition filed by former bureaucrat Akhtar Ali Shah. The court issued notices to the provincial government, the Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Secretary of Social Welfare, directing them to submit replies before the next hearing.
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The petitioner told the court that thousands of children across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are forced to beg at traffic signals and work in harsh conditions instead of going to school. He said that despite laws such as the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018, KP Child Protection and Welfare Act 2010, and the Prevention of Trafficking Act 2018, the government has failed to enforce children’s rights.
Akhtar Ali Shah argued that Pakistan, being a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, is bound under international law to ensure education, protection, and welfare of minors. He further cited Article 25A of the Constitution, which declares free and compulsory education as a basic right for all children.
The bench observed that the issue of street children is a serious social challenge and needs immediate attention from all relevant departments. The court adjourned the hearing, directing the government to submit a detailed report on measures taken for child protection and education in the province.
