In a speech delivered at the convocation of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized the critical role that education, intellect, and morality play in shaping the future of Pakistan. He believes that the youth of the country has the potential to bring about positive change and lead Pakistan towards rapid development, following the footsteps of China, who has achieved remarkable growth through education and health. Citing the example of Vietnam,
Child Rights in Focus
ISLAMABAD: Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT), Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, led the first inter-provincial secretaries’ meeting on Foundational Learning Policy and Roadmap, signaling a groundbreaking initiative. The meeting brought together senior officials from Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh, highlighting the joint commitment to improving learning outcomes for pre-primary and primary schoolchildren. During the meeting, Chaudhry reviewed the progress made since the Pakistan Learning Conference held in June 2023. He
In a historic ruling, a Karachi sessions court sentenced two men to life in jail for the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl. Muhammad Shakir and Hafeez were found guilty by the court of the horrible crime, which happened in September 2022 and was under the Mochko police station’s jurisdiction. The judge, in a firm declaration of justice, stated, “I, therefore, convict and sentence the accused under Section 265-H(ii) of the Criminal Procedure Code
Survey for K-P in 2022-23 reveals that 922,314 children are engaged in work constituting 11.1% of population Even though, child labour is prohibited in Pakistan with several laws mandating action against employers, millions of children across the country are currently working across different sectors. The first Child Labour Survey for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in 2022-23 revealed that 922,314 children are engaged in work constituting 11.1% of the province’s child population. High levels of poverty coupled with
For decades, the menace of child marriage has cast a shadow over Pakistani society, shattering the futures of countless children. Despite the presence of laws prohibiting the practice, child marriages continue at an alarming rate across the country. A provincial-level consultation workshop was organised in Peshawar to address the issue. The Caretaker Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Women’s Empowerment assured that the government is actively working on preventive measures and intends to present
The Sindh High Court has criticized the education department for failing to provide quality education to children in the province. The court noted that millions of children in backward areas are denied the opportunity to attend school due to a lack of teachers and school buildings. In response to a petition against the closure of government schools, the court observed that many schools are shut down due to a shortage of teachers or the
The recently conducted Child Labour Survey 2022-23 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has shed light on a critical issue plaguing the province. The survey findings, unveiled during a special ceremony in Peshawar, revealed that hundreds of thousands of children in the province are trapped in the clutches of child labor. According to the survey, a staggering 922,314 children, accounting for 11.1% of the child population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are engaged in laborious activities. The event witnessed
The pneumonia outbreak in Punjab continues to spread, claiming 12 more lives in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 220 since January 1st. According to official data, 1,077 new cases have been reported in the province during the same period, with a majority of the patients being children under the age of five. The latest fatalities include three deaths in Gujranwala, two each in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur, and one each
President Dr. Arif Alvi has emphasized the need for an education emergency in Pakistan to address the issue of 26 million out-of-school children. Speaking at a function to mark World Education Day, the President stressed the importance of devising innovative solutions to tackle this pressing challenge. Dr. Alvi highlighted the need for drastic measures, such as doubling up on educational institutions and utilizing mosques as centers for learning. He also proposed engaging newly graduated
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has dismissed the appeal of a convicted rapist and killer, affirming his death sentence as handed down by the trial court. A bench comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah concluded that the medical evidence conclusively established the appellant’s involvement in the sexual assault and brutal murder of an eight-year-old girl in Nowshera district. The court found the prosecution’s account of the incident to be natural, trustworthy, and
“Child Marriage in Sindh: A Political Economy Analysis and Policy Options,” presents a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to child marriage in Sindh, one of the four provinces of Pakistan. The study was conducted by the Population Council and commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as part of a broader effort to understand and address child marriage in Pakistan. Read Child Marriage in Sindh: A Political Economy Analysis and Policy Options
Pakistan is facing a staggering education crisis, with a whopping 26.2 million out-of-school children (OSC), according to a recent report by the Pakistan Institute of Education in collaboration with UNESCO. This number represents a disturbing 40% increase from 2021 to 2022, with Pakistan now ranking third in the world after Nigeria and India in terms of the highest number of OSC. The report highlights a bleak picture across all provinces, with Punjab leading the