Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif should personally supervise development and formulation of child protection policy followed by a comprehensive plan to address the issue of Violence Against Children, which would be a rights way to ensure Justice for Zainab and all children who suffered this cruelty.
Human Rights Activist Hina Jillani Advocate said this while addressing a press conference along with civil society activists on Friday. She showed her deep concern over non prioritizing Child Protection Agenda by provincial government even after serious child sexual exploitation and pornography incident reported in 2015. That was the time when Government of Punjab was in position to initiate the establishment of efficient child protection system in Kasur which could be replicated in rest of province to ensure protection of children.
Hina strongly demanded that Chief Minister Punjab should immediately announce a Task Force by taking on board relevant Civil Society Organizations. Human Rights Defender Tanveer Jahan questioned that where was the government and chief minister Punjab from last many years when many children like Zainab were becoming the victim of Child Sexual Abuse and other forms of abuse?
Child Rights Activist Iftikhar Mubarik regretted that recommendations vetted by Law Minister Punjab were never sent to office of Chief Minister Punjab to seek further approval, on which responsible departments and officials must be held responsible for accountability.
Child Rights Movement, Punjab's Provincial Coordinator Rashida Qureshi shared that delay in arrest of unknown/unidentified accused is still a big question on the performance of police. She also urged for equipping female police officers with investigation skills and the cases of violence against women, girls and children must be handed over to female police investigation officers on priority basis. She urged for establishing "Child Safety Cells" in all district Police Offices in Punjab.
Dr Naeem Zafar Senior Member Child Rights Movement, Punjab also highlighted the issue of delay in establishing "Provincial Child Rights Commission" in Punjab despite assurances of Law Minister Punjab in 2015. Activist Bushra Khaliq shared that Kasur is under serious psychological fear and children are confined in their own homes because of that fear of being abducted, abuse or murder. He urged that provincial government must intervene in this situation with a sensitive matter by taking on board relevant Non-Government Organizations to province psychological support services for people of Kasur.
Advocate Syed Miqdad Mehdi, Advocate Ahmar Majeed, Nazir Ahmad Ghazi from GODH, Umme Laila Azhar from HomeNet Pakistan, Nabila Bhatti from SANJOG bZahra Sajjad from Group Development, Mahar Safdar from Bounded Labour Liberation Front and large number of Civil Society representatives participated in this Press Conference.
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