President Mamnoon Hussain while reaffirming the commitment and determination to safeguard children’s rights, said the Government has undertaken all necessary measures to ensure better livelihood, education, healthcare and protection of children.
“Let us re affirm our commitments to provide our children with a conducive environment in helping them become useful citizens of this country as well as productive members of the global village,” he said in a message on the Universal Children’s Day being celebrated on November 20.
He said as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Pakistan remained in the forefront to advocate, protect and promote child rights.
“Our resolve towards child welfare continues to reflect in our state policies,” he added.
The President said Islam enjoined upon them the sacred task of care, protection and development of children.
“Pursuant to our religious and international obligations, the Government is fully cognizant of the need for protection and development of children, who are our greatest asset,” he noted.
He said as the Islamic Republic, they were obligated to promote best interests of children and provide them with access to development opportunities without any discrimination. The President emphasised that the protection of child rights and ensuring equal opportunities to them required a strong and robust partnership between public and private agencies.
He called upon the parents, teachers, members of civil society, NGOs, volunteers, philanthropists, international development partners, media and corporate houses to play their constructive role towards promotion and protection of the rights of children.
The President appreciated the efforts of Ministry of Human Rights for promulgating the Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 2016, which explicitly provided for stringent and deterrent punishment for offences against children including exposure to seduction, child pornography, sexual abuse and human trafficking.
He also appreciated non-government organisations for advocating and highlighting the child rights as well as related issues and expressed the hope that they would continue to pursue this important mission with the same zeal and spirit.
