The Government of Pakistan’s combined sixth and seventh periodic reports under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, the Convention), along with its initial report under the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC), were reviewed by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. Since Pakistan’s previous review in 2016, the country has undertaken extensive legislative, policy, and institutional reforms to strengthen alignment with its obligations under the Convention and the Optional Protocol.
The Pakistani delegation participating in the review was led by the Minister of State for Law and Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik, and included Mr. Abdul Khalique Shaikh, Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights; Ms. Sara Ahmed, Chairperson, Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau; and Ambassador Bilal Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in Geneva.
Since the last CRC review, Pakistan has enacted significant legislation at both federal and provincial levels that directly and indirectly advance children’s rights and welfare. Among the landmark legal instruments highlighted were new provincial laws prohibiting child marriage by setting the minimum age at 18 for both boys and girls, including the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2025, and the Balochistan Child Marriages Restraint Act, 2025. These measures underscore Pakistan’s commitment to harmonize age-of-marriage provisions nationwide and strengthen penal deterrence against child marriage.
Parliament has also enacted and amended several key laws to safeguard children from emerging risks and support families, including legislation criminalizing online child sexual abuse and cyberbullying, statutory maternity and paternity leave provisions, and requirements for public and private institutions to establish daycare centers. Other notable protections include amendments raising minimum marriage ages for religious minorities, enhanced child protection measures in trafficking cases, and specialized juvenile justice processes. The Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act remains central in preventing and responding to child abductions and exploitation.
During the interactive dialogue, Barrister Aqeel Malik responded to questions regarding the implementation of the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018. He highlighted the National Coordination Committee, which is finalizing implementation rules for the Act to ensure uniform application across all provinces and effective protection of children in the justice system.
Policy initiatives were also highlighted, including the launch of the ZARRA mobile application, which facilitates reporting and monitoring of child abuse and neglect, reflecting Pakistan’s efforts to modernize child protection mechanisms. Ms. Sara Ahmed underscored safeguards for vulnerable children, particularly victims of abuse, highlighting Pakistan’s zero-tolerance policy and ongoing provincial efforts to protect and promote children’s rights.
To address barriers to justice, the Legal Aid and Justice Authority continues to provide free legal assistance to vulnerable groups, including children. The Benazir Nashounuma Programme was highlighted as a key intervention addressing malnutrition and stunting among children under two, providing health services, nutrition support, and cash assistance. Recognizing education as a fundamental right, the Government reiterated the declaration of a national education emergency in 2024 to tackle out-of-school children and nutrition deficiencies.
Mr. Abdul Khalique Shaikh, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, highlighted measures to ensure school safety while maintaining normalcy for students. He emphasized the complementary work of the three national commissions the NCHR, NCRC, and NCSW and steps taken to preserve their independence. Pakistan’s human rights infrastructure has matured significantly, with the NCRC actively addressing child-rights concerns and coordinating with the NCHR, which holds A-status accreditation for compliance with international standards. Mr. Abdul Khalique Shaikh also highlighted the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up, which supports evidence-based policymaking, strengthens monitoring of abuse and exploitation, and enhances coordination between federal and provincial authorities. He noted that the Ministry, in collaboration with WHO, is developing a strategy to counter violence against children and reaffirmed that children remain a priority in provincial budgets, citing a 25 percent increase in allocations in Punjab, with similar increases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Child rights remain an integral pillar of Pakistan’s broader human rights agenda. The Government has updated the National Action Plan for Human Rights, launched a Human Rights Awareness Programme to promote understanding of international obligations, and strengthened reporting and follow-up mechanisms in line with United Nations best practices.
Despite progress, Pakistan continues to face challenges affecting children’s enjoyment of their rights, including poverty, regional instability, terrorism, and natural hazards. The Government reaffirmed its commitment to addressing these challenges and advancing the dignity, safety, and well-being of all children across the country.
As Pakistan concludes its review before the Committee, the Government reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement, transparency, and continuous improvement in promoting and protecting the rights of the child.
