Sarah Ahmad reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to ending violence against children

ISLAMABAD: Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Punjab Chairperson and MPA Sarah Ahmad has reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate violence against children while representing the country at the South Asia Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

According to details shared from the conference, Sarah Ahmad said Pakistan was pursuing child rights and protection through stronger laws, institutional reforms, better child protection services and closer coordination across sectors. She also outlined progress in broadening child protection mechanisms in the country, reinforcing Child Protection Units, improving reporting and referral systems, encouraging positive parenting initiatives, strengthening online child safety measures and preparing Pakistan’s first National Strategic Action Plan on Violence Against Children.

She said child protection remained a national priority, noting that nearly half of Pakistan’s population consisted of children and describing their safety and well-being as an important investment in the country’s future. Sarah Ahmad also restated Pakistan’s commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Sustainable Development Goals and the pledges made at the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children.

Addressing regional cooperation, she stressed the need for South Asian countries to work together and exchange knowledge in response to challenges including online exploitation, child marriage, abuse and neglect. She also thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for nominating her to represent Pakistan at the regional forum.

In her remarks, Sarah Ahmad said “It is an honour to represent Pakistan at this significant Ministerial Conference. Pakistan remains fully committed to ensuring that every child grows up safe, protected, respected, and able to realise their full potential”.

The conference was jointly organised by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Unicef and the World Health Organisation. It brought together ministers, secretaries, senior government officials and development partners from across South Asia to strengthen regional efforts aimed at preventing and responding to violence against children.

The Pakistani delegation also included Ministry of Human Rights Secretary Abdul Khaliq Sheikh and Human Rights Director General Muhammad Arshad. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya attended the event as chief guest.

Sarah Ahmad also praised Dr Amarasuriya’s efforts to promote regional cooperation for child protection and the welfare of children across South Asia. The conference concluded with renewed commitments from participating countries to reinforce child protection systems and step up collective efforts to end all forms of violence against children in the region.