Pakistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, thereby committing itself to undertake necessary measures to make those rights obtainable and protected. Quarter of a century on, not much is happening. A press report points out that a bill on the subject moved in the National Assembly way back in 2001 remained in a state of suspended animation until last April 15, when it was referred to the lower house's Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights. Still there is no progress. The committee was expected to take up the issue at its recent meeting but failed to do so for "lack of time" though the real reason, it is more than obvious, is lack of interest. To say the least, it is sad indeed that public representatives in the nation's highest legislative forum should be so indifferent to the plight of children.
The UN convention is about securing the rights of all children by protecting them from abuse and exploitation, harmful influences, and providing them with an opportunity to develop to the fullest. That requires legal protection as well as proper food and easy access to education. There is a lot that needs to be done to make even a modest advancement in that direction. Newspapers almost every day carry reports of horrendous crimes against children. Child labour, homelessness, girl child marriages - including for settlement of blood feuds between families/clans - are widespread. Then there is the practice of children born to convicted mothers being sent to prison along with mothers. Child labour is banned in compliance with the ILO obligations but children can be seen working everywhere, including in hazardous professions. The Constitution of Pakistan promises free education up to matric level to all children. Yet reality is very different. According to a UNESCO report released last year, around 5.5 million children are out of school, which is the highest number in the world after Nigeria. No wonder the report also notes that Pakistan is one of the countries with the world's highest number of illiterate adults.
A strong resolve is needed on the part of the government to undertake necessary actions and policies under a proper legal framework. The legislation pending in parliament contains, among other worthy suggestions, a proposal for the setting up of an 18-member commission with the power to hold inquiry into "violation of child rights and recommend to the relevant agency or department initiation of proceedings in such cases." Aside from maintaining vigilance for any violations to take necessary remedial measures such a commission can play an important role in pushing various bills on child rights that await action in the provincial assemblies. It is hoped that the chairman of the standing committee will hold good on his words when he promised to call the committee meeting again after Eid and pass the bill "on first priority."
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