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CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Pakistan ratified the Convention on the
Rights of the child on 12 November 1990, making a reservation on interpreting its provisions following the principles of Islamic laws and values. -
Juvenile Justice System
Human Rights Watch launched an appeal to reform the juvenile justice system, reporting that children in Pakistan faced a pattern of abuse beginning at the moment of arrest when they were held together with adults in police lock-ups. While in custody, children and adults were subjected to various forms of torture. -
Pakistan’s Penal Code
Pakistan’s penal code was amended to address the endemic problem of child abuse. Laws were tightened concerning child pornography, exposure of a child to seduction and child sexual abuse. -
Prison For Child Abuse
A school principal in Peshawar was handed 105 years in prison for child abuse and rape of many minors who were from his school. -
Child Marriage Restraint Bill
A bill introduced by Pakistani senator, Sherry Rehman, was passed in the Pakistani Senate to increase the minimum age of marriage for female to 18. The bill was aimed at ending child marriage in Pakistan. The bill was passed with overwhelming majority. -
First National Child Abuse Law
The Pakistani parliament passed the Zainab Alert Response and Recovery Bill 2019 – the country’s first national child abuse law, allowing life imprisonment for those found involved in the crime. The bill comes almost two years after the brutal rape and murder of a seven-year-old, Zainab Ansari, which had caught national attention and brought to fore the rampant child-abuse problem in the country. The bill now awaits formal clearance by president Arif Alvi, which is expected soon.