PPP Human Rights Cell Convenes High-Level Meeting to Reinforce Commitment to Child Rights and International Treaty Obligations

Islamabad — The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Human Rights Cell convened a significant and strategic meeting today to chart a comprehensive course for strengthening child rights across Pakistan. The gathering underscored the Party’s unwavering dedication to upholding and advancing the rights of children, grounded in both national legislation and international commitments.

Chaired by Malaika Raza, General Secretary of the HR Cell, the session served as a platform to foster collaboration among NGOs, civil society organisations, and policymakers. Ms. Raza reaffirmed the PPP’s historic commitment to child protection, recalling the Party’s leadership in signing and ratifying key international treaties—most notably the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)—which Pakistan acceded to in 1990, thereby committing to uphold the fundamental rights of every child within its jurisdiction.

She highlighted that the PPP government, under the visionary leadership of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has consistently championed child welfare through landmark legislation and proactive measures. These include the Child Marriage Restraint Act, the Juvenile Justice System Act, and initiatives aimed at eradicating child labor and promoting universal access to quality education and healthcare for children.

President of the Human Rights Cell, Mr. Farhatullah Babar, emphasised the urgent need to prioritise vulnerable children—particularly those in conflict zones and residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He called for a critical review of the national report on the status of children in Pakistan, ensuring its compliance with international standards set by the United Nations Human Rights Council, and advocated for active provincial participation in the report’s development.

Ms. Raza further called upon the government to allocate adequate budgetary provisions for child rights in the upcoming national budget, recognising children as Pakistan’s most valuable asset and a cornerstone of national development.

In addition, HR Cell Vice President Mr. Zulqurnain attended the meeting and suggested the implementation of special initiatives for children with disabilities, emphasising the importance of inclusive policies that cater to all children’s needs.

The meeting also featured valuable inputs from Dr. Khalil Ahmed, a representative of SPARC, who underscored the necessity for a robust data management system to accurately record and analyse cases related to child rights across all provinces, thereby informing evidence-based policymaking and targeted interventions.

A representative from SAAHIL stressed the importance of capacity-building programs for law enforcement agencies, especially police forces, to enhance their competence in handling cases involving children and juvenile offenders with sensitivity and professionalism.

Kausar Abbas from SSDO called for the establishment of a dedicated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Committee in Islamabad, coupled with extensive awareness campaigns on Pakistan’s anti-trafficking legislation and policies, to combat the heinous crime of child trafficking.

Concluding the session, Mr. Babar addressed Pakistan’s children directly, declaring: “We see you, we hear you, and we are committed to raising a united and powerful voice to protect your rights and ensure your safety and dignity.”

This pivotal meeting reaffirms the PPP Human Rights Cell’s resolute commitment to fulfilling Pakistan’s international obligations under treaties such as the CRC, and to creating a society where every child can thrive free from exploitation, violence, and neglect. The Party remains steadfast in its resolve to forge alliances, strengthen institutions, and mobilise resources to secure the future of Pakistan’s children.