LAHORE:An awareness session was organised by the Juvenile Justice Advocacy Network Pakistan (JJANP) with the support of Legal Awareness Watch to strengthen efforts for the implementation of the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018.
The session, held at a local hotel, aimed to mobilise key stakeholders for the effective enforcement of the law. It was attended by lawyers, probation officers, prosecutors, civil society representatives, and child rights activists.
Speaking on the occasion, JJANP Convener Sarmad Ali highlighted the lack of enforcement of the Act, stating that despite being enacted more than five years ago, it remains ineffective in many parts of the country. He said children in conflict with the law continue to face systemic neglect and procedural challenges. He identified the absence of functional Juvenile Justice Committees, established under Section 10 of the Act, as a major obstacle to implementation. Sarmad Ali also urged the Punjab government to formulate and notify the required business rules under the Act to ensure its uniform implementation. He said that without these rules, the law lacks an effective administrative framework.
