National News

ISLAMABAD, Jun 11 (APP): Like elsewhere across the globe,
Pakistan will observe the World Day against Child Labour on June 12
reaffirming its commitment to combat the menace and help develop an
atmosphere congenial for all children.
The World Day Against Child Labour is an International Labour
Organization (ILO) sanctioned holiday first launched in 2002 aiming
to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour.
It was spurred by ratifications of ILO Convention No. 138 [1]
on the minimum age for employment and ILO Convention No. 182[2] on
the worst forms of child labour.
The World Day Against Child Labour, which is held every year
on June 12, is intended to foster the worldwide movement against
child labour in any of its forms.
Several Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) along with
relevant departments, including the social welfare department, both
at federal and provincial levels are attempting to come up with a
comprehensive approach to protect children against possible
exploitation.
They also endeavour pressuring relevant stake holders to
protect children rights of education, health and quality life.
Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR) has also taken a number of steps to
combat curse of child labour from the country. In this regard
Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act 2016, was enacted.
The law was introduced by The National Commission for Child Welfare
and Development (NCCWD), a department working under Ministry of
Human Rights which criminalizes exposure to seduction, child
pornography, cruelty to a child, trafficking of human beings and
sexual abuse, an official of MOR told APP.
Furthermore, NCCWD, Ministry of Human Rights has drafted the
Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Child Protection Bill, 2017 in
consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The Bill aims at providing protection and care to children in
Islamabad Capital Territory from all forms of physical or mental
violence, injury, neglect, maltreatment, exploitation and abuse. The
Bill is under consideration of the National Assembly’s Standing
Committee on Human Rights.
In order to effectively supervise, coordinate and monitor
implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child and to set up uniform standards in child rights, the NCCWD,
Ministry of Human Rights has also drafted a Bill titled, ” National
Commission on the Rights of the Child Bill, 2015″.
The Bill provides for examining international instruments and
undertake periodical review of existing policies and programmes on
child rights and make recommendations for their effective
implementation in the best interest of children. The Bill is under
consideration of the National Assembly.
Moreover National Child Protection Centre is also
working under the Ministry of Human Rights providing services since
March 2007 in federal capital. The Centre is providing protection
support to vulnerable and at risk children. It provides services
like family-reunification, temporary shelter services,
rehabilitation, reintegration, non-formal education and skill
enhancement.