The civil society called upon the federal and provincial governments for the implementation of Juvenile Justice System Act (JJSA) 2018.

A press conference was held to mark Universal Children's Day, here on Monday.

The day is celebrated in order to promote the best interest of the child under the United Nations Child Rights Convention (UNCRC) signed and ratified by Pakistan came together to call upon the government for taking prompt measures for implementation of JJSA.

Talking at the press conference Imran Takkar, Project Coordinator of Group Development Pakistan said that while marking 30th anniversary of the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) we need to advocate promote and celebrate children's rights, and demanded actions as per the national and international commitment made by the state.

"The government should implement JJSA properly as even the previous law is not fully implemented by the respective governments keeping in view best interest of the child under the UNCRC signed and ratified by Pakistan," Imran said.

The JJSA 2018 was enacted in May 2018 and published in the official gazette on May 24, 2018. Through this law curtains were drawn on the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance (JJSO), 2000, which was promulgated almost two decades ago.

Several changes were made in the new law. However, so far the federal government as well as the provincial government have not taken any step to implement some of the important provisions related to setting up of juvenile rehabilitation centers, observation homes and juvenile justice committees.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019