High-Level Meeting on Cooperation for Child Rights in the Asia

Pacific Region
4-6 November 2010, Beijing

Reforming the Child Protection and Welfare Systems in

Pakistan
Opportunities and challenges in advancing child rights

Prepared By:
Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad
 Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary 4

2. Introduction 5

3. Situation overview 6

4. Challenges and opportunities 12

5. Evidence 14

6. Key issues 14

7. Recommendations and Follow up 15

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 List of Acronyms

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination

against Women
CMR Child Mortality Rate
CSEC Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
EFA Education for All
EPI Extended Program for Immunization
ESR Education Sector Reforms
GoP Government of Pakistan
GMIS Gender Management Information System
GRAP Gender Reform Action Plan
HSR Health Sector Reform
ILO International Labor Organization
INGOs International Non Governmental Organizations
MDGs Millennium Development Goals
MoH Ministry of Health
PBM Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal
PIHS Pakistan Integrated Household Survey
UNCRC United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugees
UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

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 Executive Summary

In order to enhance children’s access to education, health facilities and to protect them
from abuse, neglect, discrimination, violence and exploitation, the Government of Pakistan has
undertaken various policies, legislative, administrative and programmatic measures. Pakistan
ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 12 November 1990. Pakistan is also a
party to three other international instruments aiming at directly or indirectly improving the rights
of the child. The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to incorporate the provisions of the UN
CRC into its domestic laws. There have been a number of very important developments on this front
during the last few years. In order to bring the legal system in conformity with the Convention, a number
of policies and laws have been adopted. Most important policies and Plans of Action include National
Policy and Plan of Action for Children, National Policy and Plan of Action Against Commercial,
Sexual Exploitation of Children, National Plan of Action for Elimination of Child Labor,
National Policy and Plan of Action for Elimination of Bonded Labor, National Policy on
Development and Empowerment of Women.

In the last few years, Pakistan has witnessed a momentum regarding introduction of laws for
protection of children as various bills came under consideration. Some of the laws have made it
to the statute book while some are at different levels of legislative process. The Ministry of
Social Welfare and Special Education provides an enabling environment and tangible
opportunities, through policies, programs and projects that would contribute in poverty
alleviation and promotion of social progress and social justice in the country while addressing
the needs of downtrodden, marginalized and vulnerable segments of the society. Similar
ministries have been set up at the provincial levels.

Major challenges towards improving situation of children in the country include;

eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, reducing child
mortality, improving maternal health, strengthening services for children and effective
implementation of child related laws including Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, besides lack
of coordination and communication among various stakeholders at federal, provincial and local
levels, lack of human and financial resources and non availability of data on child protection
issues as well as a limited number of quality social services for children and families socially
excluded that are equitable, accessible and affordable. There is lack of trained professionals in
the fields relating to children and child rights e.g. child protection, child participation etc. The
need for capacity development and provision of adequate financial resources to the relevant
ministries and departments at federal, provincial and district levels of the government cannot be
over-emphasised as a means to achieve the overarching objective of child protection. Due to
different challenges, including security threats to the country, resource allocation to children
have been low. Coordination between different stakeholders and government institutions have
long been a challenge.
To improve the situation of children in Pakistan, institutional structure needs to be improved. An
effective coordination mechanism is required to be put in place. Capacity of the stakeholders
working with/for the children needs to be built. Adequate resources are required to be allocated.

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1. Introduction

Pakistan is sixth most populous country in the world having population of about 170.00
million with the annual growth rate of 1.87 percent. Of this, approximately 70 million are
children, i.e. below 18. Children in Pakistan face a variety of serious challenges ranging from
malnutrition, poor access to education, health facilities and exploitation in the form of child
labour. Vulnerable children may easily become victims of the violence, abuse and exploitation.

In order to enhance children’s access to education, health facilities and to protect them
from abuse, neglect, discrimination, violence and exploitation, the Government of Pakistan has
undertaken various policies, legislative, administrative and programmatic measures. National
Education Policy 2009 provides broad implementation framework and National Plan of
Action for Education for All aims at achieving universal primary education by 2015. Gender
disparities are being narrowed through mixed primary schools, compensatory programs, and
appointment of female teachers. Early childhood education programme has been initiated to
address the issues concerning childhood development.

In Pakistan, investments in the Health sector are viewed as an integral part of the
government’s poverty alleviation endeavor. Various programmes have been initiated like
Expanded Programme on Immunization, AIDS Control Programme, National Program for
Malaria Control, National T.B. Control Programme, National Programme for Prevention and
Control of Blindness, National Programme for Family Planning & Primary Health Care,
Nutrition activities and Programs, Primary Health Care, School Nutrition Program, Food Quality
Control System and Food Support Program.

The Government of Pakistan has undertaken various measures to provide a protective

environment to children which include drafting of the National Child Protection Policy, Criminal
Law Amendment Bill, National Commission on the Rights of Children Bill, the Charter of Child
Rights Bill and implementation of the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, Prevention and
Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance, Employment Children Act, National Plan of Action
for Children, establishment of Children’s Complaint Office at the office of the Federal and
Provincial Ombudsman, Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and Child Protection Centres.

Collaboration in health, education, protection and participation can faster progress on

child rights and towards internationally agreed development goals. Such collaboration is required
among national and international stakeholders, communities, local governments and individual
citizens. The Government is willing to work with donors, non-governmental organizations,
religious leaders, teachers, health providers, social workers and parliamentarians to address the
issues of child rights and protection.

2. Situation overview

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Pakistan is a developing country and like many other developing countries, is facing challenges
related to child survival, development, protection and participation attributed with widespread
poverty, high population growth, traditional family set up, low literacy rate, low social sector
development, unemployment, gender discrimination and lack of access to development
opportunities. Similarly, we are facing the problem of extremism and terrorist activities since
Pakistan is a front line state in war against terrorism due to which large fragment of population is
internally displaced with a great loss of precious human lives and a damage to basic services
delivery infrastructure. However, Pakistan is committed to improving the situation of child rights
in the country.

Constitutional Provisions
Article 25(1) of the constitution enshrines the foundational concept of legal equality of citizens
and holds that “all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law”.
Article 25(3) of the constitution recognises the special right of protection for children due to their
vulnerability and states “nothing in this article shall prevent the state from making special
provision for the protection of women and children”. Further, Article 37(e) stipulates in relevant
parts that the state shall “make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work,
ensuring that children and women are not employed in vocations unsuited to their age or sex.…”
Article 25A, introduced recently in the Constitution through the 18th Amendment, has made free
and compulsory education a basic human right.

International Covenants

Pakistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 12 November 1990. Pakistan is
also a party to three other international instruments aiming at directly or indirectly improving the
rights of the child: the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW), ratified in 1996, the Declaration and Agenda for Action adopted at the issue
of the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, signed in 1996, and
reaffirmed by the Yokohama Global Commitment in 2001, and the Convention concerning the
Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Form of Child Labour
Convention (C182), ratified in 2001 The Optional Protocols to the CRC have been signed and
their ratification is in process. Other International and Regional Instruments on Child Rights
include:
• SAARC Convention on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare in

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South Asia 2001
• SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children
for Prostitution, 2002
• Millennium Development Goals, 2000
• ILO Convention on Worst Forms of Child Labor (No. 182) in 2001
• ILO Convention 138 on Minimum Age for Employment in 2006.

National Laws and Policies

The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to incorporate the provisions of the UN CRC into its
domestic laws. There have been a number of very important developments on this front during the last
few years. In order to bring the legal system in conformity with the Convention, a number of policies and
laws have been adopted. Most important policies and Plans of Action include:
1. National Policy and Plan of Action for Children
2. National Policy and Plan of Action Against Commercial, Sexual Exploitation of Children
3. National Plan of Action for Elimination of Child Labor
4. National Policy and Plan of Action for Elimination of Bonded Labor
5. National Policy on Development and Empowerment of Women
Following is a brief description of National Plan of Action for Children and National Child
Protection Policy.

National Plan of Action for Children

Pakistan has a comprehensive National Plan of Action for Children which provide concrete
measures for the survival, development and protection of children from all forms of neglect,
abuse, and exploitation. The goals and targets as set forth by the UN Special Session outcome
document “A World Fit for Children” are clearly reflected in the NPA. A distinct sub section of
the NPA deals with protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

The National Plan of Action for Children was developed through a participatory process,
involving all stakeholders, including children. The Federal Cabinet officially adopted the
document on 24th May 2006. The main strategic thrust of the NPA are: political commitment,
raising awareness, capacity building, advocacy, networking, social mobilization, enhanced
allocation of resources, and setting up and strengthening functional structures and systems.

National Child Protection Policy

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 A comprehensive National Child Protection Policy has been prepared with the support of
UNICEF in consultation with all relevant stakeholders i.e Provincial Governments, relevant
Federal Ministries, Government of AJK, Northern Areas and Civil Society Organizations.

The Policy provides for adopting legislative and regulatory measures to protect children
from abuse and exploitation; enhancing administrative and institutional capacities at national,
provincial and district level to effectively address the issues of protection and welfare of
children; create awareness through increased dissemination of information to the public on child
protection through media; protection of children at local and community level by setting up child
protection system; encouraging children’s participation in the process and decisions affecting
them; prevention of children from violence at homes, schools, workplaces and institutions;
ensure child protection in emergencies like earthquake, floods and armed conflict, etc; encourage
birth registration at all levels; provision of child protection services like counselling,
psychosocial services, legal assistance; establishing day care centres; publicizing help lines;
educational and vocational services; justice for children in conflict with the law and establishing
child protection fund for protection of children living in poverty, exploited, abused or being
victims of other type of violence.

Laws
In the last few years, Pakistan has witnessed a momentum regarding introduction of laws for
protection of children as various bills came under consideration. Some of the laws have made it
to the statute book while some are at different levels of legislative process. Following is a brief
description of some of the most important laws.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2009

The Criminal Law Amendment Bill was prepared through consultations with relevant
stakeholders, including child rights organizations. The Bill proposes insertion of new sections in
the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) i. e. 292A, 292B, 292C, 328A, 369A, 377A and 377B to
criminalize the exposing of children to sexually explicit material, the child pornography, cruelty
to children, human trafficking within Pakistan and sexual abuse. Necessary amendments are also
proposed in the Schedule II of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The relevant material in
connection with the draft Bill has been transmitted to the Ministry of Interior for further
necessary action on the advice of the Law and Justice Division.

The National Commission on the Rights of Children Bill, 2009

In order to supervise, coordinate and effectively monitor implementation of the UNCRC and
report progress to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, “The National Commission on
the Rights of Children Bill, 2009” has been drafted. The Bill provides for establishment of a
National Commission on the Rights of Children for effective supervision and monitoring of
children’s rights related matters at national level; establishment of a “Child Rights Fund”, to be
utilized for promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of children and payment of
compensation, fines or damages on behalf of a child in accordance with the orders of the Court;
undertaking research by the Commission where there are issues of public policy which impact or

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could potentially impact on children’s rights; and empowers the Commission for granting
licences for the establishment of children homes for children at risk.

The Charter of Child Rights Bill, 2009

The Charter of Child Rights Bill, 2009 was submitted as a Private Member Bill in the
National Assembly. The Bill has been supported by the Government. Once passed by the
Parliament, it will have a significant impact on the rights of children because for the first time a
domestic law will enunciate the entire range of children’s right espoused by the teachings of
Islam and guaranteed under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Constitution of
Pakistan.

This Bill provides for the establishment of National Commission on the Rights of Children. The
implementation and monitoring of the Charter of Child Rights Act will be in the functions of the
Commission. The Bill is currently being reviewed by a select Committee of the National
Assembly.

The Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2010

The Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2010 was submitted in the National Assembly as a
private Member Bill. The Bill has been supported by the Government. This proposes Bill aims to
ban corporal punishment in educational institutions and other care institutions. The definition of
corporal punishment has been adopted from General Comment 8 and other international
instruments dealing with torture, inhuman and degrading treatment etc. It provides for the
redressal of complaints of corporal punishment at departmental level and penalties to punish the
perpetrators. It also takes away the protection of Section 89 of the PPC. Besides Pakistan has
Children’s Complaint Offices under Ombudsman. These are the right complaint mechanisms to
address and redress the malfunctioning of the public administration such as schools, residential
institutions, public services.

Other laws enacted at the federal level include:

• The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2004 has been enacted.

• Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2006 has been enacted.
• Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act, 2006 has been enacted.
• Protection against Harassment at Workplace, Bill, 2009 has been enacted.

Efforts at the federal level are mirrored by similar efforts at the level of provinces as well as
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

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 • The Punjab Government has already put in place a child protection mechanism through
the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act, 2004. This law is being further
reviewed to make it fully compliant with the international standards.

• Sindh Government is setting up a Child Protection Authority for the province through
Sindh Child Protection Authority Bill, 2009. The bill has been duly vetted by the Law
Department and being moved to the provincial assembly for its promulgation.

• The KPK Government is considering to set up a Provincial Commission for the Welfare
and Protection of Children under the Child Welfare and Protection Act, 2010 which has
been recently approved by the Provincial Assembly. ,
• Balochistan Government has drafted a provincial child protection policy in line with the
National Child Protection Policy. The draft policy is with the Law Department for
approval. It will be sent to the Provincial Cabinet soon.

• The AJK Government is considering setting up a comprehensive child protection system

through, the AJK Child Protection Authority Bill, 2009.

Effective implementation of laws and policies requires availability of accurate and reliable data.
For the purpose, government has taken steps for establishment of an effective Child Protection
Monitoring and Data Collection System. An assessment of the child protection monitoring and
data collection system has been made in the country, with the technical assistance of UNICEF.

A set of Operational Guidelines are outlined to facilitate the development of a Child Protection
Monitoring and Reporting System. These guidelines demonstrate specific operational linkages
that would need to be developed with various information sources. Also, data collection tools
have been designed to periodically gather information for each indicator. This is followed by an
Operationalization Plan to guide the implementation plan of the system. The Operationalization
Plan focuses on the issues of Linkages, Improving Human Resources and Operational Capacity,
Development of a Computerized System, and Dissemination Strategy.

In the first phase the system will gather and disseminate information on five areas of Child
Protection, including Juvenile Justice, Child Trafficking, Sexual Exploitation, Violence against
Children, and Family Environment & Alternative Care and more indicators will be included
gradually in the second phase.

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Besides the above, numerous forward looking laws are at different phases of legislative process.
These laws include:
(1) The Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2009
(2) National Commission on the Rights of Children Bill, 2009
(3) The Charter on the Child Rights Bill, 2009
(4) The Child Marriages Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2009
(5) Sindh Child Protection Authority Bill, 2009
(6) The AJK Child Protection Authority, Bill 2009
(7) Domestic Violence against Women and Children (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2009
Moreover, CRC provisions related to Adoption/Kafala, Universal Birth Registration, Special
Protection for children victims of trafficking, Determination of the child’s legal status are
currently under review.

2.2 Social welfare and justice structures and services

The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education provides an enabling environment and
tangible opportunities, through policies, programs and projects that would contribute in poverty
alleviation and promotion of social progress and social justice in the country while addressing
the needs of downtrodden, marginalized and vulnerable segments of the society. Similar
ministries have been set up at the provincial levels.
Benazir Income Support Programme is the central programme of social safety instruments and
important cash transfer scheme in Pakistan. The allocation for the last fiscal year was Rs. 70
billion to provide cash assistance to 5 million families which constitutes almost 15% of the entire
population. Thus the programme aims at covering almost 40% of the population below the
poverty line allocation for the CFY is 3.50 Billion ($41million).

Zakat is another important cash transfer scheme in Pakistan. Two main types of support are
provided through the scheme: a monthly subsistence allowance to each Mustahiq(deserving) and
a rehabilitation grant. These two categories constitute about 70 percent of the support. Grants for
Jehez (marriage dowry), and educational and medical expenses, make up the remaining 30
percent. At present annual Zakat collection is around Rs. 5 billion ($59 million). It is estimated
that the Zakat system benefits about 2 million Pakistanis, of which about 0.5 million are
receiving assistance on a regular basis.

Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM), is an important institution working under the umbrella of Ministry
of Social Welfare and Special Education. PBM provides assistance to widows, orphans, persons
with disability& other needy persons. It provides educational assistance to orphans including
stipends for the outstanding, non-affording students for higher professional education. PBM
provides residential accommodation and necessary facilities for the deserving, free medical
treatment for indigent sick people, set up free hospitals and rehabilitation centres for the poor and
financial aid to charitable institutions including educational & vocational setups.
Would be good to mention “Child Welfare Programme” of the PBM, which is a Conditional

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Cash Transfer piloted in three districts of Pakistan. The scheme aims at facilitating the access to
mainstream education for working children.

Some important programmes and projects working for social welfare include:
(1) Child Protection Centres in the national capital and at provincial levels have been set up.
(2) A Child Complain Cell set up at the Ombudsman’s Secretariat with its chapter in
provinces as well.
(3) Child Protection and Welfare Bureau in Punjab with five Child Protection Institutions in
five major cities for the welfare and (2004 to 2009)
(4) Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
(5) The Ministry has established a Trust for the rehabilitation of Children affected by Armed
Conflicts. Rs. 100 million ($1.2 million) has been allocated by the government as seed
money.
(6) National Skills Strategy 2008-2013
(7) President’s “Funni Maharat Programme” (Vocational Skills Programme)
(8) Prime Minister’s “Hunarmand Pakistan Programme (Skilled Pakistan Programme)

In July 2000, the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance was promulgated, giving a federal legal
instrument aiming at better protecting juvenile offenders all over the country. Major innovations
have been introduced by this ordinance, namely concerning the death penalty, labour during
imprisonment, corporal punishment in police custody, arrest under preventive laws, trial
procedures, and use of fetters or handcuffs. Various capacity building measures are underway to
ensure full compliance of the law.

3. Challenges and opportunities

Major challenges towards improving situation of children in the country include;

eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, reducing child
mortality, improving maternal health, strengthening services for children and effective
implementation of child related laws including Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, besides lack
of coordination and communication among various stakeholders at federal, provincial and local
levels, lack of human and financial resources and non availability of data on child protection
issues as well as a limited number of quality social services for children and families socially
excluded that are equitable, accessible and affordable.

The operationalization of the national child protection framework has faced major challenge in
Pakistan, many of which could be attributed to the lack of a coherent implementation mechanism
and an effective channel though which to apply various international laws to meet local
conditions and requirements, including the revision of outdated laws left over as a legacy from
colonial times. Inadequate resources allocated by the State have posed further constraints on the
robust child protection policy implementation.

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The successive military interventions have not only disrupted the politically-motivated
legislative process in Pakistan, but have also shaken the public confidence in the continuity of
policies and in the sanctity of political institutions in the country. A large number of ordinances
are indicative of the absence of a stable political legislative process in Pakistan. Likewise, an
instable political culture contributes to weakening of the state institutions; thus, causing
unavoidable disconnects between the policy and implementation levels. The expedient policy
formulation – either to serve short-term political interests of the successive regimes or to please
international agencies and allies –does not allow for adopting a bottom-up approach, which is
central to a participatory policy formulation process. As a result, implementation mechanisms
that are incongruous, not only to the ground realities, but also to the policy itself, are coming into
being a trend that needs to be checked without any delay as it is creating hurdles to achieving
the desired results.

The impact of the October 8, 2005 earthquake on vulnerable groups particularly on children was
devastating. Children, who lost one or both parents, have been made vulnerable to exploitation
and child labor, in particular when from poorer households. Following the earthquake
approximately 40,000 children were orphaned; majority of children who lost parents remain with
their extended families however, a number of these children were admitted to institutional care.
According to the National Plan of Action for the Most Vulnerable Population in the Earthquake
Affected Areas most children were taken in by members of their extended family. 160 separated
children have been reunited with their family by the ICRC.

Recent floods are the worst in our country’s history and described as the worst humanitarian
crisis in the world today. The floods have affected no less than 20 million people destroyed
crops, infrastructure, towns and villages, according to the Paksitani government. As the
Government of Pakistan tries to do its best with the help of UN, INGOs, bilateral and multilateral
donors, millions of children face serious risk to their health, education, protection, welfare and
well being.

The challenges we are faced with have brought the situation of children in Pakistan under the
spotlight, both nationally and internationally. We hope that the generous support Pakistan is
getting from donor organizations and countries will help improve the situation of our children.
Most importantly, technical support can help us improve our institutions and services.

There is a strong opportunity to learn from other countries of the region. Sharing of best
practices and experiences can go a long way in course correction and creating a momentum for
change. More than ever before, the term South-South cooperation—which can be defined as an
exchange of expertise and resources between governments, organizations, and individuals in
developing nations—has been gaining importance and momentum in the development arena.
Some success has already been achieved in South Asia in this respect. South Asia Forum for
Ending Violence Against Children (SAF) as a regional mechanism initiated with the vision of
ending all forms of violence against all children in South Asia. SAF is composed of
representatives from the governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka and activities are coordinated by a Regional Secretariat hosted by the
Government of Nepal. Earlier, SARC countries joined hands to draw SAARC Social charter

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adopted at their Twelfth Summit held in Islamabad in 2004. This Charter re-affirms the
principal goals promoting the welfare of the peoples of South Asia, improving their
quality of life, accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural
development. The provisions laid down in the Social Charter are now being implemented
across the region with the establishment of National Coordination Committees (NCCs) in all
Member States.

4. Evidence

In 2008, the government conducted Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study that
identified 18 child protection issues need attention in Pakistan. Based on this study, Pakistan
launched a National Campaign against Child Abuse later that year. The knowledge, attitudes and
practices of primary care givers shows that a girl is seen to be 'mature' sooner than boys and the
restrictions of adult women apply to her at an early age. A majority of adults also deem it OK for
children to work in case of poverty and economic deprivation of the family. In this scenario it
will be difficult to use the legal instruments of child rights and child protection, without also
addressing poverty and providing incomes opportunity for the family as a whole.

Ninety six percent of the respondents agreed that children should have rights and 88 percent of
the parents also thought that boys and girls had equal rights. Yet parents think that the worst acts
for boys have more to do with what hampers their current or eventual earning habits, while for
the girls they have to do with what is popularly perceived as lack of modesty and lack of
subservient behavior. While society is accepting similar educational and health provisions for
boys and girls, duty holders are as yet still quite conservative and discriminate between boys and
girls when it comes to mobility, leisure and freedom (for girls) and punishments and more severe
outcomes (for boys).

A majority of children with primary caregivers were found to be enrolled at schools. The
situation of children in the shelters, orphanages and madrassas has not emerged as too alarming
in terms of education, except in the case of children on streets/shrines where only 8 percent were
currently attending school, and children engaged in labour where only 15 percent were in
schools.

There was also a preponderance of boys among children found in child labour. About a quarter
of the respondent household children reported working in spite of living in family environments
with primary caregivers. This study shows children work because of the survival of their families
– not because they and their families do not understand about child rights. It is poverty, not lack
of primary care giving, that determines whether a child is engaged in child labour.

5. Key issues
Limited capacity of the concerned government officials to fulfil different obligations under the
Convention remain an important factors affecting the performance. There is lack of trained
professionals in the fields relating to children and child rights e.g. child protection, child
participation etc

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The need for capacity development and provision of adequate financial resources to the relevant
ministries and departments at federal, provincial and district levels of the government cannot be
over-emphasised as a means to achieve the overarching objective of child protection.

Due to different challenges, including security threats to the country, resource allocation to
children have been low.

Coordination between different stakeholders and government institutions have long been a
challenge. As Pakistan decentralizes social sector departments to the provincial governments,
coordination between the federating units and between the provinces and the federation can
prove a key issue.

Standard social services, community-based services for children living in poverty, being out of
school or victims of abuse, exploitation has to be considered as an absolute priority.
Accreditation and inspection of services has to become institutionalized. The relations between
the public powers and the service providers have to be regulated in accordance with the new
public management (e.g. social contracting).
Awareness on child rights is also likely to remain a key issue in the near future at least.

6. Recommendations and follow up

To improve the situation of children in Pakistan, institutional structure needs to be improved. An

effective coordination mechanism is required to be put in place. Capacity of the stakeholders
working with/for the children needs to be built. Adequate resources are required to be allocated.
In order to further the Child Rights Agenda in Pakistan, following concrete steps are key targets
to achieve a protective and enabling environment for the children:

1. National policies and strategies for social inclusion and child poverty reduction will be
operationalized.

2. Improvement in the Administrative and Institutional structures to have the capacity to

implement the provisions and recommendations of the policies and strategies, at central
and local level.

3. Strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors, governmental and civil
society, federal and provincial levels are required to be institutionalized.

4. Decentralized mechanisms and structures for social benefits and services are set up at
district/community level and need to be strengthened.

5. The child protection system is reformed and in compliance with the provisions of the
CRC and the national reformed legislation.

6. Budgetary provisions will be increased for child protection and appropriate

administrative actions will be taken for child protection and assistance.

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 7. A multifaceted and systematic framework will also be developed to respond to Child
protection issues and will be integrated into national planning processes.

8. The implementation of the national strategy, policy or plan will be systematically

evaluated according to established targets and timetables and provided with adequate
human and financial resources to support its implementation.

9. The newly launched Child Protection Management Information System (CPMIS) is an

innovative step taken by the Government of Pakistan to fill the data gaps existing in
Child Protection Indicators in order to bring more cohesiveness in all planned remedies
and measures aimed for the welfare and development of child rights in Pakistan.

10. In 2007, the Government of Pakistan has approved a “Social Protection Strategy to Reach
the Poor and Vulnerable”. The Social Protection Strategy is conceived within the overall
framework of ‘Just and Balanced Development’ envisaged in MTDF (2005-10) and
Vision 2030.

11. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, National Commission for Child
Welfare and Development have finalized the process of developing the National Child
Protection Policy. The social protection strategy and the child protection policy aim in
tackling family and child poverty and disparities, poverty based exclusion and other
forms of social exclusion and to address vulnerabilities.

Pakistan considers it a matter of utmost priority that its children grow and develop in health and
happiness, receive education and develop skills, so that they can realize their full potential and
effectively participate and contribute to the social, cultural and economic life of our nation.