Policy & Law - Page 2

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989 entry into force 2 September 1990, in accordance with article 49 Preamble The States Parties to the present Convention, Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and…

The Age Of Consent And The Borders Of Belief

ICT Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2025 marks a pivotal step toward a safer, progressive Pakistan KARACHI. Child rights organisations and advocates, along with concerned citizens, have warmly welcomed the passage of recent legislation on child marriages, describing it as a landmark step toward protecting the rights and well-being of children.…

IHC Judgement on Child Marriage Case

Honourable Justice BABAR SATTAR of the The Islamabad High Court Issuing a…

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Entry into force: 26 June 1987, in accordance with article 27 (1)…

Punjab Set to Enforce Kite Flying Ordinance 2025

LAHORE: The Punjab government s Kite Flying Ordinance 2025, a far-reaching legal framework aimed at controlling kite flying and eliminating dangerous string, is poised for promulgation next week once the Punjab Assembly session concludes. The ordinance, already approved by the provincial cabinet, cannot be signed by the governor while the…

Don’t Leave Children at Mercy of AI, Warn Experts

KARACHI: Experts have warned that leaving children “at the mercy of Artificial Intelligence (AI)” could prove dangerous, urging parents and schools to prioritise AI literacy as technology becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life. The warning came during the 10th Adab Festival, which concluded on November 23 and featured its first-ever…

Anti-domestic violence Bill Promises ‘Stringent Penalties’ in ICT

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has passed a proposed legislation to “address and significantly” reduce domestic violence in the Islamabad Capital Territory by establishing a comprehensive legal framework to protect the victims. The bill, approved on November 13 along with four other bills, was criticised by the JUI-F lawmakers, who questioned the haste…

Anti-abuse Bill

ESCALATING incidents of violence against women, children and other vulnerable sections reflect a dire need to plug procedural gaps before enacting laws. The National Assembly has passed a new Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2025, which aims to build “protection, relief and rehabilitation of women, men, transgender, children and…

Punjab Set to Fix Minimum Age for Marriage at 18

ISLAMABAD: Following the example of Sindh and Islamabad, the Punjab government is set to introduce the Child Marriage Restraint Act, fixing the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 years. Those found violating the law will face strict punishment. This was revealed by Qaisar Mehmood, Divisional Coordinator of the Punjab…

Steps to be Taken To Devise Policy For Improving Child’s Nutrition: Minister

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Health Dr Mukhtar Bharat on October 21 claimed that the government would take all possible steps to devise a policy to improve child nutrition and maternal health. Addressing an awareness seminar on the harms of formula milk, Dr Bharat said formula milk had negative impacts…

Call to Tntegrate Air Quality Data into Policymaking for Real Impact

LAHORE: Dr Omar Masud, the CEO of Urban Unit, says that the air quality data of monitoring sensors can make a real impact if its integrated in policymaking. He was speaking at the session “Developing a National Air Quality Management Framework for Pakistan” during The Air We Breathe conference, organized…

IHC Allows 15-Year-Old Girl to Live with Husband

The Islamabad High Court has allowed a 15-year-old girl to live with her husband, ruling that “while underage marriage is valid under Shariah, it is considered a crime under Pakistani law.” Justice Muhammad Azam Khan issued the detailed judgment in the case of Madiha Bibi, who had married of her…

Letting Federal Wealth Go

The first meeting of the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) to discuss and finalise a new award was postponed last week due to flood emergency in the country, which demanded urgent government attention and resource mobilisation to mitigate potential human and material losses. Background research, however, revealed that, compared to…

Aseefa Bhutto, Sindh Health Minister, MPs Unite For Stronger Breastfeeding, Nutrition Laws

ISLAMABAD: First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, and parliamentarians from across the political spectrum on 11-August-2025 signed a landmark joint declaration on gender, breastfeeding, and nutrition in Pakistan, pledging coordinated action to protect child health, empower mothers, and remove systemic barriers to optimal breastfeeding…