Implementation of Juvenile Act demanded

LAHORE : Advocate Sarmad Ali has written a letter to the Punjab chief minister for immediate implementation of Juvenile Justice System Act 2018 (JJSA) to safeguard the rights of children entangled in legal conflicts.

Despite being enacted on May 22, 2018, the JJSA remains largely unimplemented across Punjab, failing to provide children with the protection and specialised justice mechanisms outlined in the Act.

Advocate Sarmad Ali, in his recent correspondence, highlighted the absence of Juvenile Justice Committees as mandated by Section 9 of the Act, as well as the lack of a notified set of rules of business under Section 24. He emphasised that this legislative inaction has left children across Punjab facing severe challenges in establishing their innocence before courts and tribunals. The letter appeals to the CM to direct authorities concerned to prioritise and expedite the enforcement of the JJSA in Punjab. The full implementation of this Act, Ali contends, is essential to uphold the best interests of vulnerable children and ensuring they receive fair and equitable treatment under the law.