BATTAGRAM: A Child Protection Unit (CPU) was officially inaugurated in Battagram district on 08-May-2025. Minister for Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Empowerment Qasim Ali Shah was the chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the CPU would play a crucial role in ensuring the protection of children, upholding their rights and securing their future. They noted that the unit would not only help prevent abuse, exploitation and violence
Child Rights in Focus
School Privatisation Postponed
May 10, 2025
RAWALPINDI. The School Education Department has extended till May 15, the deadline of submitting applications in the third phase of the privatization of public schools. Under this phase, an additional 7,500 government schools are set to be handed over to Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and major private school chains. The new deadline for online applications is now May 15, while hard copies of the application, along with complete documentation, must be submitted to the relevent
Child Dies, Two Swept Away In Flood
May 10, 2025
Sources say incident occurred when children were playing near edge of stream ABBOTTABAD: Relentless rainfall on Thursday continued to wreak havoc across Abbottabad, flooding low-lying areas, blocking major roads, and severely disrupting daily life. Amid the chaos, tragedy struck near the Kala Pul area, where two Afghan children were swept away by a fast-flowing seasonal stream, resulting in the death of one child. The incident occurred as the children, reportedly playing near the edge
Schools Asked To Prepare Emergency Evacuation Plans
May 10, 2025
RAWALPINDI. Amid ongoing military tensions with India, the Department of Education has instructed educational officers to coordinate with school administrations to formulate emergency evacuation plans to ensure the safety of students, teachers and non-teaching staff. These plans must include clear evacuation routes from every classroom to secure locations such as basements or interior rooms. Teachers are advised to keep students calm and comfort frightened children by reassuring them that they are safe and by
Govt To Launch 5-year Plan For Adolescent Education
May 10, 2025
Meeting also spoke about a range of socio-economic and environmental factors affecting children’s educational outcomes The Sindh government, in partnership with UNICEF, has announced the development of a five-year multi-sectoral roadmap which aims to identify and eliminate barriers to education while creating an inclusive and supportive environment for learning across the province. The announcement was made during a high-level meeting in Karachi, chaired by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah. Participants included Sindh
ISLAMABAD: After multiple Indian drones were shot down in Rawalpindi, the authorities in the twin cities closed all educational institutions till 12th May, whereas the Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education postponed its matric and intermediate exams. In the capital, internal and external exams, including A and O level papers, will be held as per the announced schedule. Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, in a notification, said due to the prevailing security situation,
LAKKI MARWAT: A boy kept in chains by his father was released by the police in Bannu district on 8th May. A police official said that the incident came to light when a video appeared on the social media platforms showing a 10-year-old boy chained by his father at a small grocery outlet in the rural locality. DPO Saleem Abbas Kulachi took notice of the incident and directed DSP Arshad Khan for prompt action,”
Education And Emergencies
May 10, 2025
TENSIONS between Pakistan and India have once again led to incursions and attacks. And there are real fears of escalation to a full-scale war between the two countries that have nuclear weapons. India attacked several places early on 7th May. Given the situation, the Islamabad and Punjab governments announced the closure of all educational institutions on 7th May. The situation is very tense and fears of escalation are very much there, especially given the drone incursions
World Thalassemia Day To Be Observed on 8th May
May 9, 2025
ISLAMABAD: World Thalassemia Day will be observed across the globe on 8th May under the theme of “Together for Thalassemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritising Patients”. It is worth mentioning that thalassemia has become a silent epidemic in Pakistan, with an estimated 100,000 children suffering from thalassemia major, a preventable but life-threatening blood disorder. Each year, 5,000 to 9,000 children are born with the condition, primarily due to low public awareness, cultural practices such as cousin
45 Schools Solarised In Rahim Yar Khan
May 9, 2025
RAHIM YAR KHAN: The District Education Authority (DEA) has so far solarised 45 public schools, while 100 others are under the process, by utilising non-salary budget and raising funds through community engagement, not only saving power costs, but also contributing towards green energy production. The initiative has been taken under the theme of “Energy Solutions Towards Better Pakistan”. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Khurram Pervez, during a visit to a school, told Dawn on May 6
The launch of the State of Children in Pakistan 2024 marked a pivotal moment in advancing the national agenda for child rights. The event brought together leaders, experts, and stakeholders committed to building a Pakistan where every child is safe, educated, healthy, and heard.
Girl Kidnapped From Karachi Recovered In Bannu
May 8, 2025
LAKKI MARWAT: An eight-year-old girl, who had been kidnapped from Karachi around a month ago, was safely recovered in Bannu district on 6th May, the police confirmed. An official said a party of Saddar police station raided a suspected hideout and recovered the girl, Ahmadia Bibi. He said three kidnappers, identified as Abubakar, his wife Huma Bibi and Asad, were arrested during the raid. The official said the incident had occurred in the limits