Joint efforts stressed to protect children

LAHORE: CCPO Amin Wains has said that children are future of nation. They should be protected from sexual abuse and other culpable crimes by active participation of parents, teachers, police, civil society and all members of society so that anti social elements may be traced and be punished immediately.

He added that it is prime responsibility of parents to keep vigilance over activities and behaviours of their children and in case of unprecedented change in their behaviour parents not only should take notice of it but also inform police.

He expressed these views while addressing participants of a seminar titled protection of fundamental rights of children at Aiwan-e-Iqbal. In the seminar DIG Ops Dr Haider Ashraf, SSP Ops Muntazir Mehdi, Chairperson Child Protection Bureau Saba Sadiq, DC Lahore Sameer Ahmad with lawyers, senior journalists and notable persons from other institutions were present. The DIG Dr Haider Ashraf welcomed the audience and realised about the growing incidents of child abuse and made a determination of eliminating this crime by mutual efforts of all institutions and society.

He added it is prime priority of Lahore Police to provide protection to women and children for which all available resources are being utilised. In the seminar chairperson of child protection bureau Saba Sadiq said Child Protection Bureau is taking strategic steps for protection of rights of children in all districts of province and it is a good omen that other stakeholders are also becoming part of it.

Child psychiatrist Sumera spoke on the occasion. During the ceremony children presented different performances of child abuse and awareness of children’s rights. Lawyers and other prominent personalities addressed the seminar. They said better grooming and attention towards children secure the childhood of children and build up their character.

Protection of children is collective responsibility of society for which more awareness sessions, seminars and walks should be arranged for activation of society.