AJK unveils child protection policy for seminaries after Kotli incident

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has introduced a child protection policy for seminaries, making CCTV installation, complaint mechanisms and teacher certification compulsory across the territory.

The policy was announced on Thursday by Minister for Religious Affairs, Auqaf and Information Chaudhry Muhammad Rafique Nayyar. The move follows directives issued by Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore amid increasing concern over the safety of children in religious institutions.

Under the new policy, all madrassahs have been told to install standard CCTV cameras in classrooms, corridors, courtyards, offices and other parts of their premises. The cameras must remain operational at all times, and footage will have to be retained for at least 30 days.

The framework also requires every seminary to prepare a written child protection policy. This document must set out students’ rights, a code of conduct for teachers and staff, and clearly specify prohibited behaviour. It must be displayed prominently, while all employees will be required to provide written acknowledgement of it.

To create a secure reporting channel, confidential complaint boxes will be placed in all seminaries. These boxes will be accessible only to authorised district administration officials, who will open them regularly and act promptly on complaints while protecting the identity of complainants.

In addition, surprise medical examinations of students will be carried out by teams formed under district health officers. Any suspected case will be reported immediately to the relevant authorities, and affected students will be given prompt medical and psychological support.

Mr Nayyar said the government had also made it mandatory for all teachers and Quran instructors to possess recognised teaching certificates from accredited institutions. He said their credentials, character and previous records would be checked before appointment, and those with questionable backgrounds would not be allowed to teach.

According to the minister, implementation of the policy will be jointly overseen by the district administration, the education department and the religious affairs ministry. Seminaries found violating the directives may face legal action, including suspension or cancellation of registration.

Mr Nayyar said the measure reflected the government’s commitment to child protection, raising the standard of religious education and improving transparency in the seminary system, calling it a significant milestone towards institutional reform.

Background to the policy

The policy was introduced after the alleged sexual assault and death of a young seminary student in Kotli district on Sunday. The incident, exposed serious shortcomings in oversight and child protection arrangements in religious institutions and underscored the need for effective monitoring mechanisms.