ISLAMABAD, NOV 19 /DNA/ – The Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) Afshan Tehseen Bajwa said that child abuse is a grave violation of children’s rights and one of the greatest threats to children’s lives, survival, development, and participation rights.

In her statement on the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, she said that ensuring children’s rights was particularly important because Pakistan had a unique window of opportunity where the “youth” could truly determine Pakistan’s future. But the rising number of child abuse cases is a matter of serious concern.

The time to act is now – by strengthening child rights protection mechanisms and legislation, as well as through massive public awareness campaigns.

The commission has established a complaint mechanism that has effectively addressed the problem of child abuse in Pakistan. In addition, she added that the NCRC has analyzed various child rights violations in Pakistan and issued policy briefs on street children, child marriages, forced conversion, child domestic labor, juvenile justice system, etc. to identify gaps and recommend remedial measures to key stakeholders to address problems of child abuse in Pakistan.

The Government of Pakistan has taken a number of initiatives to protect and promote the rights of children, but given the scale of the problems in Pakistan, these are not enough and urgent action should be taken. The enactment of laws and implementation mechanisms vary from province to province, but overall enforcement remains a challenge. There is a need to establish separate Ministry/Departments for children at the federal and provincial levels.

In addition, advisers for children should be appointed in the federal and provincial cabinets who can advocate for the concerns of almost half of the children in Pakistan.

The world also celebrates Universal Children’s Day on 20 November. Children are the most valuable resource of any society: the future engine of prosperity, harmony, and creativity.

On the occasion of Universal Children’s Day, the NCRC Chairperson shared that the Commission is committed to strengthening laws that govern children’s rights, and will continue its work with the federal and provincial governments to advocate for the implementation of child protection laws and lobby with the relevant authorities to build a sustainable child protection system in Pakistan.

Tehseen Bajwa called on all government agencies and civil society organizations to work towards developing synergies to create a Pakistan where all children grow up in an environment free from violence and abuse and where they can develop their full potential.

Every year on 19 November, the world celebrates “World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse”.

In Pakistan, children are at risk of various forms and types of abuse, including child labour, corporal punishment, child sexual abuse, harmful traditions including child marriages, etc. While child marriage affects both boys and girls, girls are significantly more likely to be affected in Pakistan.

The Demographic Health Survey 2017-2018 found that 29 percent of women were married before the age of 18, compared to 5% of men. In Pakistan, more than 12.5 million children or nearly 16 percent of the child population are involved in child labour in Pakistan, with 13 percent to 14 percent of these children being between 5 and 15 years old.

Although the number of child marriages in Pakistan has decreased significantly over the last three decades, this practice remains a major problem throughout the country. Violent discipline continues to be a widespread problem across the country.

According to the 2017-2018 MICS Survey on Violent Discipline in Punjab, 81 percent of children aged upto14 years have experienced some form of physical violence and 74% have experienced some form of psychological violence in the past few months.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 18: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday said the matter of the next army chief’s appointment would be settled in a “day or two”.

In an interview with Geo News show ‘Naya Pakistan’, Sanaullah said: “I believe the prime minister has completed this process (of consultation about the army chief appointment) and will bring it to paper, today or tomorrow or the next two days, [it] takes no time.”

Upon further questioning, the interior minister seemingly reproached the interviewer and said: “I will also request you that this is a matter of a day or two so don’t ask questions which can lead to unnecessary speculation,” adding that in his opinion there “is not a lot of time left to this decision and it will come before you”.

Sanaullah said that a further delay in the matter would not be “appropriate” and the next army chief would be appointed in the next two days.

The interior minister also alleged that the purpose of the PTI’s march to Islamabad was the army chief’s appointment, rather than snap elections. “The long march is not really present anywhere — it’s only on the media,” he added.

Zardari against ‘politicising’ appointment

Earlier today, former president Asif Zardari said that he strongly believed in the procedure laid out for promotions in the army.

Commenting on the appointment of the next army chief, the PPP co-chairman added that all three-star generals were equal and fully qualified.

“The army chief’s appointment should not be politicised at any cost,” he said, adding that making the process political would harm the institution.

Zardari said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would make the decision about the next army chief in accordance with the law.

DNA

Rawalpindi, NOV 18: An Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) was initiated to clear a hideout of Terrorists, linked with firing incidents on Security Forces and civilians besides planting of Improvised Explosive Devices on M-8, in general area Balor, Hoshab.

As a result of continuous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance of the area, a location of the Terrorists was identified and security forces were heli inserted. While establishment of positions by security forces was underway, 2

Terrorists opened fire. During ensuing heavy exchange of fire, both the Terrorists have been killed, while a cache of arms and ammunition including Improvised Explosive Devices has been recovered.

Security Forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.

KARACHI, NOV 18: The body of a 7-year-old girl, who was raped and murdered, was found in Karachi’s Quaidabad area on Friday, police and hospital officials said.

The body was found on a plot of an under-construction building near Mengal School in Landhi’s Muslimabad colony.

A large number of locals gathered at the spot and expressed their anger over the unfortunate incident.

Malir SSP Irfan Bahadur told that the girl had gone missing on Thursday around 2pm and her body was found today (Friday).

He added that the police were waiting for the doctors’ findings before pursuing further legal action.

The minor’s body was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) to fulfil legal formalities.

‘Extensive injuries’

“The body of a minor was brought from the jurisdiction of PS Quaidabad with extensive injuries all over the body, especially the head,” Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed told.

She added that preliminary examination is highly suggestive of vaginal and anal rape, and that “swabs have been prepared for semen serology, DNA profiling and cross-matching”.

“The postmortem findings are suggestive of asphyxia (strangulation) as the cause of death, however, visceral samples have been preserved for toxicological screening.”

Epidemic of crimes against minors

Last month, a homeless minor girl from flood-hit Shikarpur, dwelling on a footpath near Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine in Karachi’s Clifton area, was kidnapped and gang-raped by a group of men, according to police and hospital officials.

The police surgeon had confirmed that the 10-year-old girl went “missing” and was brought to the JPMC by her mother in a serious condition.

She was examined by a female medico-legal officer at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH).

“The examination revealed violent vaginal rape and physical injuries,” she had said.