The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and Ministry of Law & Justice on Thursday launched the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Rules, 2022. The ministries launched the rules in collaboration with the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Pakistan at the Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG), Sector F-10/2. Addressing the launching ceremony, Education Minister RanaTanveer emphasised the importance of these rules in upholding children’s rights and fostering a culture of non-violence. He remarked, “Let us work together to implement these rules effectively and create an environment where every child feels safe and nurtured.”
RanaTanveer hoped that these rules shall serve as the beginning of curtailing violence in schools and committed to writing to all provincial education ministries to follow suit. Federal Minister for Law and Justice, AzamNazeerTarar congratulated the stakeholders in getting the corporal punishment rules implemented.
He underscored that morals and values could not be imparted through coercion or punishment and remarked that it was a late step but in the right direction. “The implementation of these rules from today shall serve as the building block in achieving our greater vision aimed at the well-being of our children; the ultimate future of Pakistan.”
He further pledged to fully support the cause of child rights and related legislation in future as well. The launch of the “Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Rules, 2022” marks a historic milestone in the relentless pursuit of protecting children from the scourge of corporal punishment within the capital territory.
These comprehensive rules which stand implemented from today onwards, fall under the “Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act, 2021” reinforcing the commitment of the government and stakeholders to eliminate corporal punishment and create a safe environment for children. The mover of the bill and Convener of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights and Parliamentary Secretary Law and Justice, MehnazAkber Aziz, in her address, outlined the significance of the rules and their transformative impact on the lives of children.
“Today marks a monumental step towards protecting our children and creating safe spaces for their growth and development. The launch of the Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Rules is a testament to our commitment to ensuring children’s well-being and upholding their rights.
These rules will provide clear guidelines and enforce strict measures to eradicate corporal punishment from educational institutions and child-related settings throughout Islamabad. I hope this will also incentivize the currently 2.4 million out-of-school children to head to schools,” she added.In her remarks, she recognized the support of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the minister for education, the minister for law and the then speaker of the National Assembly in supporting this much-needed legislation.
