LAHORE: In line with the vision of the Punjab chief minister to make the province the safest place for children, Punjab has become the first province in Pakistan to approve a comprehensive child protection policy.
This was stated by Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi while presiding over an important meeting on the child protection policy at the Home Department.
The meeting was attended by Child Protection Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmed, Additional Home Secretary Asma Cheema, Director General Child Protection Bureau Rao Nadeem Akhtar, Programme Lead Child Protection UNICEF Pakistan Zahida Manzoor, along with other senior officials. The participants reviewed the Child Protection Policy framework, besides discussing coordination mechanisms and implementation strategies among all relevant departments and institutions.
The home secretary said the child protection policy provides a practical and effective framework for safeguarding children’s rights across the province. He stated that the Punjab government is implementing a zero-tolerance policy against violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. He added that all key stakeholders have been brought on one page to ensure that child protection mechanisms are effective, responsive, and sustainable throughout Punjab.
