LAHORE: The Punjab Cabinet has approved the province’s first-ever Child Protection Policy, a significant step toward institutionalizing children’s rights and welfare.
The policy was sanctioned during a cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who has been personally involved in advancing the initiative.
Developed by the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) with technical assistance from UNICEF Pakistan, the policy provides a comprehensive framework to prevent abuse, violence, and exploitation of minors across Punjab. It aims to establish an integrated system to create a safe and supportive environment for children.
Sarah Ahmad, Chairperson of the CPWB, described the policy approval as a reflection of the government’s commitment to child protection. She noted that the bureau had been preparing a case management system for over a year in anticipation of implementing the policy. The draft policy had been submitted two years earlier, but past efforts had faltered due to political indifference, budget limitations, and lack of coordination.
The policy has drawn praise from civil society and child rights groups. Iftikhar Mubarak, Executive Director of Search for Justice, stressed the need for dedicated funding in the upcoming provincial budget to avoid the policy becoming symbolic. He called for a unified action plan clearly assigning responsibilities to relevant departments.
Rasheeda Qureshi, Convener of Children Advocacy Network Pakistan, advocated integrating child protection measures into annual development and operational budgets of public sector departments. She also proposed introducing “Child Protection Budgeting Guidelines” to ensure fair resource allocation and accountability.
Mudassar Ahmad, Coordinator of Child Rights Movement Punjab, highlighted the urgency of swift implementation. He recommended forming child protection committees at district and tehsil levels to localize the policy. He also emphasized the bureau’s expanded role in strengthening interdepartmental coordination.
Civil society urged the government to ensure the policy’s effective enforcement through political will, financial investment, inter-agency collaboration, and civil society engagement.
Sixteen-year-old child human rights defender Abiya Batool welcomed the policy and emphasized the inclusion of children in the process. “We are the primary stakeholders. Our voices must be heard at every step,” she said.
Punjab’s new policy marks a critical move toward a safer society for children. The key challenge remains its sustained implementation and follow-through.
