Runaway kids swarm railway stations

LAHORE:

The railway stations across Punjab have become sanctuaries for girls and boys who leave their homes.

Statistics of the Pakistan Railways Police revealed that 96 children aged up to 17 years were apprehended at stations in the Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi regions during May and June. The minors were reunited with their families.

Many of the children said they had fled due to scolding by their parents, forced marriages, burden of studies, but some cited trivial reasons such as not getting their desired fast food or phone.

The statistics showed that the Lahore railway division, which includes the Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Wazirabad and Raiwind stations, reported the highest count of children found after they had left their homes at 41. The railways police in Multan the division, comprises Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Khanewal and Multan, reported 31 children rescued. Another 24 children were found at the stations in Rawalpindi division, which includes Sargodha, Jhelum and Kharian.

According to a railways police official, a trend causing concern was that some children under the age of 15 had refused to return home with their parents. Most of them did not want to return home because they were subjected to physical punishment, forced labour or denied the opportunity to attend the school of their choice. They were forced to study against their will, scolded over desiring foods, drinks and travel of their choice.

Investigations revealed that the 16 and 17 years old boys and girls left their homes mostly fearing forced marriage. The influence of movies and dramas often fuelled the desire for romantic relationships.

Some girls were found at the railway stations after the partners they intended to flee with did not show up.

The allure of playing games and watching cartoons and videos of their choice drove the children facing strict rules to run away from home.

Some 12 and 13-year-old children shared their frustrations about their limited food options.

When their parents were questioned, they explained that their economic situation had become extremely challenging due to inflation. They struggled to provide basic necessities like bread, finding it difficult to put food on the table twice a day. Many families were struggling to make ends meet, and starving, they added.

Officials said the railways police had taken stringent measures to address the issue of runaway children at all stations. Officers have been deployed to patrol the stations day and night, especially immediately after the arrival and departure of trains.

Any boy or girl found alone is apprehended and the parents are informed.

However, some children attempt to flee again by providing false house addresses and phone numbers. During the handover, the police also counsel the parents to be more attentive to their children's needs and well-being.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, a psychologist, Fatima Tahir, shed light on the underlying psychological dynamics at play, stating that at this age, children crave identity, freedom and autonomy in decision-making. However, this desire often clashes with parental strictness, leading to contradictions.

Parents may unintentionally ignore their children's wishes due to various pressures, exacerbating the issue, she added.

The psychologist emphasised the importance of counselling for both parents and children.

When parents involve their children in decision-making, it can have a profound impact on their emotional well-being. Taking the children to the stores, explaining the budget constraints and allowing them to choose within the resources help the budget feel acknowledged and valued.

On the other hand, when children are not given the freedom to make choices, they may feel suffocated and seek escape routes, she said.

She also stressed the importance of involving the children in everyday decisions, such as choosing what to cook or preparing a meal of their choice.