ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) and Protection and Help of Children Against Abuse and Neglect (PAHCHAAN), convened a consultation on “Gaps and Opportunities in Pakistan’s Legislative Landscape for Children” and a book launch of the 5th edition of “The Rights of Children in Pakistani Law” here on Friday, said a press release.
The consultation brought together legal experts, practitioners, researchers and child-rights advocates to examine legislative and policy challenges affecting children in Pakistan.
Discussions focused on gaps in existing laws, barriers to the effective implementation of legal protections for children, and opportunities to strengthen the current legal landscape related to children.
Opening the consultation and launch, Chairperson of NCRC Ayesha Raza Farooq emphasised the importance of accessible legal resources that can support institutions and professionals responsible for protecting children. “This compilation will serve as a valuable resource for courts, enforcement agencies, civil society, and researchers.”
She emphasized that the true measure of child-related laws lies not only in their enactment, but in their effective implementation and their ability to respond to the realities faced by children.
NCRC’s statutory mandate includes reviewing laws, policies and practices, conducting inquiries into child-rights violations, strengthening institutional capacities and advising the government on legislative and policy matters concerning children.
In his remarks, “Where the Law Meets the Child,” President and CEO of PAHCHAAN Dr. Naeem Zafar reflected on the difficulties faced by organisations, families and professionals when legal protections are difficult locate, understand or apply. “During our work, we repeatedly reached a point where counselling, compassion and referral were not enough.
We needed to know: What right does this child have? Who has the legal responsibility to act? What remedy is available?”
He stressed that laws can protect children only when caregivers, professionals and institutions are able to understand and use them. Legal recognition must therefore be supported by awareness, accessible assistance, effective referrals and timely institutional responses.
Dr. Mehek Naeem, Miqdad Mehdi and Ahmar Majeed presented key reflections from the fifth edition of The Rights of Children in Pakistani Law, using the publication to guide a structured discussion on Pakistan’s legal land scape for children.
The publication consolidates relevant federal and provincial legislation and compares it within the context of Pakistan’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The consultation underscored that the existence of child-related legislation does not automatically ensure protection. Greater attention is needed to the implementation of laws across federal and provincial jurisdictions, particularly where responsibilities, enforcement mechanisms, and legal provisions remain inconsistent or unclear.
The plenary discussion highlighted the need for stronger coordination among courts, law-enforcement agencies, child-protection institutions and civil society.
It also emphasized the importance of accessible legal resources, harmonization of age amongst different laws related to children, drafting and approval of rules in a timely manner, importance of resource allocation, capacity building for front line professionals, effective referral networks and continued monitoring of the gap between legislation and children’s lived realities.
The event concluded with the formal launch of the fifth edition of The Rights of Children in Pakistani Law. The publication will serve as a supporting reference for future legal review, professional training, institutional action, research and advocacy arising from the consultation.
About NCRC, The National Commission on the Rights of Child is an independent statutory body established under the NCRC Act, 2017, with a mandate to promote, protect and fulfil children’s rights in Pakistan.
About PAHCHAAN Protection and Help of Children Against Abuse and Neglect, is a child-rights organisation working to strengthen child protection, safeguarding, access to justice and child and family wellbeing in Pakistan.
