Peshawar – The 33rd meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission was held here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister’s Adviser for Zakat and Ushr, Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Empowerment Malak Liaqat Ali Khan.
The meeting approved the province’s first-ever Child Protection Policy. Various aspects of the policy concerning child protection, rights and welfare, along with other related matters, were discussed in detail.
Secretary Social Welfare Sharif Hussain, MPA s Ms Suraya Bibi and Ms Shehla Bano, legal representative Ms Laraib, civil society representatives Sajjad Ullah and Dr Suleman, religious scholar Ghulam Ullah, and other relevant members attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the role of the Commission under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Act, 2010, as well as various matters relating to child protection.
The policy will include measures for the protection and welfare of vulnerable children, including orphans and destitute children, children with disabilities, homeless children, street-connected children, and those deprived of adequate parental care.
It will establish effective mechanisms for the prevention, early identification, reporting, protection, rehabilitation and monitoring of children facing abuse, physical and psychological violence, neglect, exploitation, child labour, begging, sexual exploitation, child marriage and other risks.
The policy will also provide mechanisms for the identification and registration of children, case assessment, protection planning, referral to relevant institutions and follow-up monitoring. Coordination among relevant institutions at the provincial, district and community levels will also be strengthened.
In alternative care, the best interests, needs and suitability of the child will be given primary importance. Family-based care will be preferred, while institutional care will be considered only as a last resort. The policy will ensure minimum standards in alternative care institutions, including food, hygiene, healthcare, education, mental health support, vocational training and grievance redressal mechanisms.
The policy will also include procedures for assessing prospective guardians, reviewing the home environment, selecting guardians according to the child’s needs, ensuring judicial oversight and conducting continuous monitoring after guardianship.
On the occasion, Malak Liaqat said the protection of children was among the government’s fundamental priorities. He emphasized that orphaned, destitute and vulnerable children should be provided with a safe environment, adequate food, healthcare, education and other basic facilities, with special attention to their physical, mental and emotional development.
The CM’s Adviser directed the relevant authorities to further strengthen the child protection system under the Child Protection and Welfare Act, 2010, ensure timely prevention of and action against all forms of abuse, violence, neglect and exploitation of children, and enhance the capacity of Child Protection Units.
He said prevention, early intervention, effective case management, institutional coordination, and the involvement of parents and communities were essential for child protection. He also emphasized the need to raise awareness about children’s rights, safe environments and digital safety.
The participants expressed their commitment to further strengthening measures to ensure the protection, health, education, development and dignified lives of children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while enhancing an integrated child protection system at the provincial, district and community levels.
