Pakistani man puts sons on sale to protest poverty

from Monsters and Critics

Islamabad - A man in Pakistan's central Punjab province on Tuesday put his three young sons 'on sale' as a sign of protest against poverty until officials talked him out of the idea, news reports said.

Police in Khanewal district detained the boys, all aged below ten, and their father after noticing a placard reading 'Protest, Protest, Protest - These children are for sale,' the private Geo news channel reported.

The poverty-stricken man used to run a bakery but over the years his business collapsed, leaving him unable to support his family.

They were later released with instructions not to lose hope, an officer told Geo.

Around one-fifths of country's population lives below the poverty line, according to official figures that are thought to be understated.