President asked to use his powers for approval of child protection law

Islamabad
Speakers on Friday urged the President to use his special powers for the approval of laws on child protection that are pending in the National Assembly.
The demand was made at an event organised to commemorate Universal Children Day and also Pakistan's 25 years of signing United Nations Child Rights Convention (UNCRC). United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC), adopted by UN General Assembly in 1954, is a holistic document ensuring rights of the children all over the world, ratified by Pakistan in 1990. November 20th of each year is, therefore, celebrated as Universal Children Day all over the world to promote international togetherness and awareness among people of the globe about children’s rights worldwide.
Besides speeches, the song presented by the special children of Al-Makhdoom Centre and cultural show by Children of Sweet Homes Pakistan also highlighted the need to pay more attention to the children.
Federal Minister for Law Justice and Human Rights Senator Pervaiz Rashid was the chief guest on the occasion. Officials of Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights, representative of National Child Protection Center, civil society representatives and a large number of children from different schools attended the ceremony. The event was organised by National Child Protection Centre, Ministry of Law Justice and Human Rights in collaboration with Rozen, a non-government organisation.
Speaking on this occasion, Federal Minister Pervaiz Rashid said that the government wants children to have pens in their hands instead of guns and wear school uniforms instead of suicide jackets. He highlighted the need to do more to improve the situation of children in Pakistan. He termed everyone responsible for the present situation of children in Pakistan.
The event started with the welcome remarks by the Joint Secretary Ministry of Law Justice and Human Rights Humaira Azam. She said UNCRC ensured basic right of children for all and it is the responsibility of the government to utilize all resources for child welfare. She said for the same purpose, the government has moved Criminal Amendment Bill, Corporal Punishment Bill and Child Rights Commission Bill in the parliament.
A representative of United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) termed it unfortunate that around 5.5 million children are forced to child labour. She was of the opinion that a lot needs to be done to improve the situation of children in the world. She said Unicef is focusing on the crippling disease of Polio in children and more than 600,000 children are immunized under the campaign in recent past.
A representative of Rozen, Dr. Ambreen Ahmed said around 48 per cent of Pakistan’s population is children and all children have right to education, health, clean water, sanitation without any discrimination. She recommended the government to establish a network of Child Protection Centre around the country so that vulnerable children, especially orphans, streets children and victims of extreme poverty could get security.