Children may be controlled, coerced, deceived or forced into work or activities that exploit them, place them at risk, or deprive them of their rights. They may be unable to leave freely, may not receive wages, and may be subjected to abuse or neglect. These situations include:
These are criminal offences and child protection emergencies. Criminal networks may use children for:
Trainer’s Note
Routine economic activity or poverty-driven child labour is primarily addressed through labour and social welfare mechanisms. However, once coercion, abuse, trafficking, deception, confinement or serious risk to the child is present, the situation becomes a criminal offence under the law and requires police response and investigation.
Police must apply relevant provisions from the following laws:
Federal/ Provincial Laws | |
|---|---|
| Law | Relevance to Police Work |
| Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (PPC) | Criminal offences including trafficking, kidnapping, slavery, unlawful confinement, assault, sexual exploitation and criminal intimidation |
| Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (CrPC) | FIR registration, investigation and court procedures |
| Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018 (PTIP) | Criminalises trafficking for labour, sexual exploitation and forced begging — consent of a child is legally irrelevant |
| Sindh Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 2015 | Abolishes bonded labour in Sindh, criminalises debt-bondage and coercive labour practices, and supports rescue and rehabilitation of bonded children and families |
| Sindh Prohibition of Employment of Children Act, 2017 | Prohibits employment of children in hazardous occupations and regulates child labour — working children are treated as victims, not offenders |
| Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011 | Provides for identification, rescue, referral and protection of children at risk and mandates coordination with SCPA |
Police must:
Police must not:
✘ Treat the child as an accused
✘ Negotiate “settlements” with employers
✘ Return the child to exploiters
✘ Blame or threaten the child
✘ Delay case registration
Police must coordinate with:
| Institution | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sindh Child Protection Authority (SCPA)/ CPUs | Case management, risk assessment and placement |
| Labour Directorate / District Labour Office | Legal labour enforcement where required |
| District Administration | Rescue operations and coordination |
| Registered Shelters | Temporary protective accommodation |
| Hospitals / Medico-Legal Services | Medical care and forensic examination if required |