Policy & Law - Page 4

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)…

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…

Changes To Seminary Law May Open New Can Of Worms

ISLAMABAD: Although the government managed to secure parliamentary approval for an ordinance promulgated to satisfy Maulana Fazlur Rehman and a group of seminary boards, their registration may be hampered by the fact that the law only applies to the capital territory. During Wednesday’s proceedings, the National Assembly passed the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act…

Every Child Matters: C-ARTS and Transformation Of Autism Care in Sindh

When Fatima was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at just three years old, her parents were overwhelmed. Like so many families in similar situations, they faced a maze of uncertainty—confusion, societal stigma, and a painful lack of support services. They wondered if their daughter would ever speak, go to…

Female Convert To Islam Told To Move Guardians Court For Kids’ Custody

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed a female convert to Islam to approach a guardians & wards court to seek the custody of her children from her former husband, who is Hindu. The direction came on a petition of Laxmee, who changed her name to Maria after her conversion…

Birth, Death Registration Free Under New Rules: Speakers

TAXILA: To raise awareness about the newly introduced Birth and Death Registration Rules, 2025, a seminar was organised by the district administration in collaboration with the local government and Community Development department at the District Council Hall in Attock on 1st August. Officials, including the deputy director of local government, delivered…

SHC Orders Girl’s Ossification Test In Free-will Marriage Case

The Sindh High Court on 31-July-2025 directed the medical superintendent of Services Hospital to conduct an ossification test on a girl to determine her age in a free-will marriage case as the family of the girl claims she is a minor. The direction came on a petition of Shireen and…

Provinces Must Set Legal Marriage Age At 18: NA Body

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on 17th July recommended that both national and provincial governments establish a uniform legal marriage age of 18 years for both men and women. A meeting of the Committee on Gender of Mainstreaming, held here, observed that this change will help reduce health risks associated with…

Non-formal Education Policy In Works To End Out-of-school Crisis

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on 10-July-2025 announced that the Federal Non-Formal Education Policy 2025 was currently in development, with the ambitious objective of achieving a ‘zero out-of-school children’ target. He also declared that the National Action Plan for Non-Formal Education 2025 was…

First Kalash Marriage Bill Cleared By Law Department

Legislation aims to protect and formalise the marital customs of the community Peshawar. In a landmark step toward preserving cultural heritage, Pakistan’s first indigenous Kalash Marriage Bill has successfully passed vetting by the Law Department and will soon be presented to the cabinet before being tabled in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa…

Civil Society For Sustainable Strategy To End Child Labour

LAHORE: Civil society organisations, academic institutions and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) called on the Punjab government to adopt a comprehensive and sustainable child labour eradication strategy to uphold children’s rights and protect them from economic exploitation. This call to action was made during the Provincial Policy Dialogue…