US consul general-led delegation meets Punjab ACS Home

LAHORE: A delegation consisting of US Consul General Lahore and minister consular for consular affairs met Punjab additional chief secretary (ACS) Home and discussed with him the issues related to the custody of children under The Hague Convention 1980.

ACS Home Mian Shakeel Ahmed, US Consul General Lahore Kirsten K. Hawkins and Minister Consular for Consular Affairs Jane Howell met at the Civil Secretariat on Monday. The US officials asked about the Punjab government's policy regarding implementation of the decisions given by the courts regarding the custody of children under The Hague Convention 1980.

The ACS Home told the US officials there were certain standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the Punjab government in that regard, but so far those had not been tested in any case.

The American officials told the Home Department that in the next few days, the American court might give a decision regarding the custody of a child.

If the American court gives a decision to hand over a child in Pakistan to the custody of his father or mother in America, how would the Punjab government ensure its implementation under The Hague Convention 1980.

Shakeel Mian told the American authorities that after the decision of the American court, a legal opinion would be sought from the Department of Law and Parliamentary Affairs.

He said the procedure would have to be seen whether a separate petition would have to be filed in the Pakistani courts in the light of the decision of the American court, and what procedure had been laid down in the local judicial system in the light of The Hague Convention 1980.

In the meeting, ways of deepening cooperation regarding protection of children under The Hague Convention 1980 were discussed. In 2016, Pakistan had become a member state of The Hague Convention.

Legal issues regarding the return of children born to American parents of different citizenships to the respective country of residence between the US authorities and the officials of the Department of the home, in addition to the situation arising from the illegal transfer of such children to other countries and The Hague Convention. It was discussed in detail. Special Secretary Home Fazlur Rehman, Additional Secretary Home Shahid Mahmood, Additional Secretary (FATF) Tasneem Ali Khan, Director General Child Protection Bureau, Officers of the US Consulate Abdul Waheed and Zoha Basit were also present.