Amraiz Khan
Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is taking concrete steps to curb child sexual abuse.
Speaking at a workshop on child sexual abuse, the minister said that sharp increase in child abuse cases since past couple of years is a matter of grave concern. He termed the workshop a welcome step, and underscored need for such programms to pinpoint causes behind child sexual abuse and measures to prevent it. He said stricter laws are being introduced for perpetrators of sexual violence against children and women.
Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights Ejaz Alam Augustine, Chairperson Child Protection Bureau (CPB) Sarah Ahmed, Country Coordinator Muslim Charity UK Zubair Shah and representatives of civil society also attended the workshop.
The workshop was organized by the Punjab CPB in collaboration with Muslim Charity UK. As per the ordinance brought on the directive of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the harshest punishments have been laid down. He said that the earlier Zainab Alert law is also an important step of the government in this direction. Raja Basharat said that the Punjab government had centralized the one-five call system for immediate police action.
He said that there are all laws in Pakistan but they are not implemented effectively. He lamented that society creates difficulties instead of facilities for the affected children and families. The law minister said that parents, teachers, media and civil society must work together to eradicate this social evil. Ejaz Alam Augustine suggested that awareness material on prevention of sexual abuse of children be included in the curriculum, while Sarah Ahmed said that certain sections/clauses to protect the abused child and family should be included in new and old laws.
At the end of the workshop, Raja Basharat distributed certificates among the participants.
