Universal Children Day is celebrated the world over to sensitise us all on the crucially important aspect of our lives. Pakistan joins the world community to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (
UNCRC) and its provisions in true letter and spirit. The UN Convention provides the basic principles for the rights of children. It is our responsibility to ensure children’s rights to survival, development, protection and participation as envisaged in the UNCRC.
It is indeed our national and constitutional duty to protect the best interests of our children. Children are a vulnerable segment of any Society and at the same time the most precious investment for ensuring a better future. It is in this context that we have to reaffirm our commitment for protection of child rights to make children useful and productive citizens. The Government has promulgated the Criminal Law (second amendment) Act, 2016 with regard to Child Abuse, Child Pornography and enhancing the minimum age of criminal liability. I have noted with pleasure that Punjab and Sindh have introduced amendments in the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. I have also approved a National Plan of Action for Human Rights which addresses the issues of child protection, discrimination, labour, education and other measures for their wellbeing. I am hopeful that we would establish an autonomous and independent National Commission for Child Rights in the near future.
We recognize that there are immense challenges in improving on-ground situation for children in the country, but our Government is continuously undertaking reforms to cope with these challenges. I urge the civil society, NGOs, philanthropists, international development partners, media and corporate sectors to come forward as partners and play an effective role for protection of child rights to make Pakistan a child-friendly country. I am glad to note that the Ministry of Human Rights is also making efforts for protection and promotion of child rights in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders and practitioners in the country.
I urge the Federal Ministries and Provincial Governments to sincerely undertake the required legislative, administrative and social sector reforms for creating an enabling environment for children. I also appreciate the UN agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations for advocating and highlighting the child rights. I hope they will continue to pursue this important mission with the same zeal and vigor.
May Almighty Allah help us in this noble cause. (Ameen)
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF DAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016
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