Pakistan - Homeless in Peshawar: 475 registered cases of children on the streets, says SPARC

There have been 475 registered cases of children living on the streets of the provincial capital in 2014, according to a report by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC). Around 80 of such children have been reunited with their families so far this year.

“However, according to unofficial records, more than 10,000 children live on the streets of the city,” SPARC Manager Khalid Mahmood said at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday as he presented some findings by the organisation. “More than 1.5 million children across the country live on streets.”

Mahmood was speaking at a seminar and certificate distribution ceremony organised by SPARC. Children from the streets, orphans and school dropouts and their parents were in attendance. Adviser to the CM on Transport and Technical Education Shah Mohammad and activist Yasir Basheer distributed certificates, sewing machines, and other presents among children who completed the technical courses.

Shah shared more than 70 children were imparted technical training and given hygiene kits. They were made aware about a centre to facilitate street children near Peshawar Bus Stand, established by SPARC in 2006.

“It is unfortunate the K-P government has not taken any serious action to establish a shelter for such children,” said the CM’s adviser. “They do not even maintain facts and figures.” Children are precious assets of the nation, he added. “Laws should be passed from the K-P Assembly to protect their rights.”

Sharing details from the report, Mahmood said children who live outside of the structure of a family unit in Pakistan face an alarming lack of educational opportunities and health facilities. Social mobiliser Saifullah added children mostly choose to live on the streets after stress and pressure from their parents, teachers, or guardians is consistently reinforced. He confirmed 80 children were reunited with their families. Child sexual abuse and violence against children were also widely reported in Peshawar in the previous year.