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)…

CM Promises Children Bright Future

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on January 23 said the province had witnessed terrorism and violence over the past 25 years, and now the time had come to lead children towards knowledge and a bright future. He stated this while speaking at an event, where he launched…

Safeguarding Our Children

This video features Manizeh Bano, Executive Director of Sahil Pakistan. In this compelling conversation, she discusses the critical issue of child protection, Sahil’s efforts in combating child abuse, and the importance of awareness and policy reforms. Gain valuable insights into the challenges and solutions in safeguarding children’s rights in Pakistan.…

Ban on Vape, E-cigarettes for Under-18s on the Cards

In a bid to curb the growing trend of vape smoking among youth in the federal capital, the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services is set to table ‘Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill’ in the House following its approval by the panel. The proposed legislation seeks to impose…

Motorcycle Licences at 16 in Punjab: Mobility, Maturity and the Burden of Responsibility

The newly proposed initiative has opened a deeper debate about accountability, maturity, enforcement and whether the state is regulating reality or retreating from responsibility. LAHORE: In early December 2025, a province-wide traffic enforcement drive in Punjab created a controversy after police registered over 4,600 cases and arrested around 3,100 people in 72…

Golden Children

On the global stage, human statues are performance artists who usually stand motionless at city centres for purposes of arts and entertainment. But this trend, cloaked under the guise of street performance, has been exported to Pakistan and particularly Karachi in borderline abusive conditions. At various junctions across the city,…

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…