This policy brief focuses on the child protection needs and lived experiences of migrant and forcibly displaced children in Pakistan. It draws on recent research conducted by UNICEF Pakistan and UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight, in collaboration with the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) and the social enterprise Samuel Hall. The research examines internally displaced Pakistani children, Afghan child migrants, and forcibly displaced children, with particular
Child Rights in Focus
The State of the World’s Children 2025 warns that global progress in reducing child poverty is slowing and risks reversal due to conflict, climate shocks, debt pressures and deep cuts in development aid. About 412 million children live in extreme monetary poverty, while 417 million face severe deprivation in basic needs such as education, health, water and sanitation. South Asia – including Pakistan, which faces recurring climate disasters, economic stress and service gaps –
Matriculation and intermediate examinations in Sindh have long been rampant with allegations of bribery-related corruption, mismanagement and thriving cheating networks. And it seems that the Sindh government is least bothered about reforms at a foundational level, instead engaging in rolling out modern initiatives that are akin to concealing real issues. Just recently, Sindh has introduced a new grading system for matriculation and intermediate levels similar to that of the Cambridge Board. Marks will now
KARACHI: The first case of rabies was reported in Karachi in 2026 as an eight-year-old girl from Sanghar district was diagnosed with the deadly disease on Monday. The child developed severe rabies symptoms nearly six weeks after she was bitten by a stray dog. She was subsequently shifted to Indus Hospital in Korangi where doctors confirmed the disease. At the hospital, Rabies Prevention Clinic Manager Aftab Gohar said the child had received inadequate treatment at multiple
KARACHI: In view of the prevailing cold weather, the Sindh School Education Department has extended the decision to start schools at 9am until February 4. According to notification issued by Secretary School Education Sindh Zahid Ali Abbasi, stated that all public and private schools across the province would continue to open at 9am until February 4. Earlier, under a notification issued on January 10, the revised school timings were applicable until January 26; however, the decision
RAWALPINDI: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) carried out two major operations in the twin cities, arresting a suspect accused of exploiting children and dismantling a gang behind Rs20 million in online fraud, officials said on Sunday. In the first case, the NCCIA conducted a raid at a residence in Islamabad’s PWD area and arrested a suspect identified as Shoaib for allegedly circulating obscene videos of a minor. Two mobile phones were recovered
Earlier this month, a newborn baby was found abandoned in a garbage bin in Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Town. Police have been informed, and legal proceedings are expected, though the baby’s condition remains undisclosed. For a society that claims reverence for life, the image of a newborn discarded among refuse should have triggered outrage. Instead, it has been met largely with weary resignation. What makes this incident especially disturbing is that it is no longer
RAWALPINDI: A 14-year-old girl who went missing from Rawalpindi’s Dhok Hassu area earlier this week was found murdered on Saturday, police said. The sack-packed body of the girl, identified as Misbah, was recovered from Ladies Park on Carriage Factory Road, within the jurisdiction of Ratta Amral police station. According to a police spokesperson, senior officers, including the SSP Operations, SSP Investigation and SP Rawal, reached the spot along with a police contingent. The body
KARACHI: A matriculation student has identified the main accused in a case involving the alleged sexual abuse of more than 100 children during an identification parade held before a judicial magistrate in Karachi, police said. The identification parade was conducted on Saturday in the court of the Judicial Magistrate South, where the accused, identified as Imran, was produced by police. The student identified him despite the suspect standing among 10 dummies. Following the identification,
ISLAMABAD: The Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira) has issued notices to over 1,000 private schools for not submitting compliance reports. Sources said these schools had been granted registration with the direction to ensure availability of missing facilities, including infrastructure shortfall, lack of classrooms, deficiencies in libraries, laboratories and teachers. The schools were required to submit compliance reports after bridging the gaps, which were pointed out during approval of the registration process. “We are
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 Character Education Curriculum for the holistic character development of children, according to a statement issued from the chief minister’s secretariat. Mr Afridi said while
LAHORE: The body of a newborn baby was found dumped in a trash bin in the Chung area on January 23. A spokesperson for Edhi Foundation said a passerby spotted the infant’s body in a garbage container and informed the police. Upon receiving the alert, police reached the scene, took the body into custody and shifted it to a morgue for post-mortem examination and legal formalities. Police officials said preliminary investigations suggest that an