Punjab’s efforts to modernise its brick kiln industry and eradicate bonded and child labour have received international recognition, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Friday. She expressed pride that members of the US Congressional Pakistan Caucus acknowledged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s “bold vision” to mechanise brick kilns and make the sector ethical, green, and investment-ready.
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Aurangzeb highlighted that all brick kilns across Punjab have been geo-mapped, QR-coded, and drone-surveyed, with data linked to a central monitoring dashboard. The province is also shifting government construction projects towards block-based building, reducing reliance on traditional kiln bricks. She described the reforms as a “human rights revolution” that strengthens labour protections and modernises an essential industry.
For the first time in history, under CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, all brick kilns across Punjab have been geo mapped, QR coded, drone surveyed and linked to a central monitoring dashboard.
Punjab is now also transitioning government construction towards block based… pic.twitter.com/8hQZ1CnSgp— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) November 21, 2025
A letter from US Congress members Thomas R. Suozzi and Jack Bergman praised Punjab’s initiatives, noting that mechanisation would help Pakistan meet its international obligations to end bonded labour while boosting foreign direct investment, particularly from ethical and sustainable American businesses. The letter added that Punjab could serve as a pilot province, setting a benchmark for the rest of the country.
Child labour remains a major challenge in Pakistan, with over 12.5 million children involved according to the Child Rights Movement National Secretariat. Provincial surveys have shown that children make up more than 11% of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s child population, highlighting the scale of the problem that Punjab’s reforms aim to address.
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The minister’s statement comes amid growing domestic and international focus on ethical labour practices and sustainable industry, positioning Punjab as a leader in human rights-oriented economic development.