ISLAMABAD: The Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) on October 28 released its latest Islamabad Domestic Violence Factsheet, revealing alarming gaps in the city’s justice system when addressing cases of domestic abuse. Despite 50 reported cases between January and June 2025, none had resulted in conviction or acquittal, underscoring serious shortcomings in institutional response mechanisms to protect women and ensure justice. A statement issued here said that the data, obtained through the Right to Information
Child Rights in Focus
KARACHI: Experts at the “7th Karachi International Water Conference” on October 28 warned of a growing public health crisis driven by water-borne diseases and examined contamination risks, gaps in hygiene and strategies to protect vulnerable communities during and after floods. The conference was organised by Hisaar Foundation at the Karachi School of Business & Leadership. It brought together government representatives, international experts, civil society leaders, private sector actors, academics and youth to deliberate on
KARACHI: Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho was informed on October 28 that the spread of HIV in Sindh had reached an “extremely alarming” level, with 3,995 registered HIV-positive children in the province. A high-level meeting on the alarming rise of HIV cases across Sindh was chaired by the health minister. She was briefed by officials that more than 600,000 quack doctors are operating in Sindh, 40 per cent of them in Karachi alone. The
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to constitute a special joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the alleged involvement of Punjab Police officials in the kidnapping of three minor girls and their mother from Lahore and Bahawalpur. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani issued the directive while hearing a petition concerning the alleged abduction. During the proceedings, the court observed that video footage on record “clearly shows” that the
KARACHI: Nine people, including six children, have died of gastroenteritis after consuming contaminated water and food in a village on the outskirts of Karachi, forcing the government to declare a health emergency in the affected areas and the nearby Malir district. Faiz Muhammad Burro Goth, where the deaths occurred, is located near Bahria Town Karachi and falls within the territorial jurisdiction of Thana Bola Khan, district Jamshoro. Sources said the deaths were reported over
ISLAMABAD: The education ministry on October 27 decided to expand ‘School on Wheels’ project by adding two more buses to enlarge out reach of programme for early childhood education in rural areas of Islamabad. Federal Secretary Education Nadeem Mahbub reviewed the progress of the project and showed his satisfaction. Mr Mahbub visited and checked one of the “School on Wheels” vehicles. When he came to know that currently only two buses are in the
KARACHI: A four-member committee has been formed to take legal action against those involved in exploitation and sexual abuse of children at the Mauripur truck stand. The committee was formed by Keamari Deputy Commissioner Raja Tarique Hussain in response to a Dawn article — The ‘kept’ boys of Mauripur — that highlighted serious violations of the child protection and labour laws at the truck stand. Child Protection Office Muhammad Iqbal had asked the Keamari
RAWALPINDI: Additional District and Sessions Judge Afshan Ijaz Sufi on Monday sentenced an accused to 14 years’ rigorous imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs200,000 and compensatory damages amounting to Rs500,000, in the high-profile student sexual assault case registered at Saddar Beruni Police Station. In the assault case, the court found Jaleel Nawaz alias Jeela, son of Muhammad Nawaz, guilty of sexually assaulting student Daniyal and engaging in indecent conduct. The convict was awarded
KALA SHAH KAKU: The man accused of murdering his three-year-old niece and dumping her body in a sewage canal in Kot Pindi Das has been killed in an alleged police encounter, bringing a chilling case to a dramatic close. Police said Umar Farooq, who had confessed to killing his niece Zainab, died after being hit by bullets fired by his own accomplices during a shootout with CCD police near Jhoke Kalan Road. Police officials
LAHORE: The Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) has rescued a 12-year-old domestic worker from a house in the Walton area where she had been allegedly subjected to physical abuse. According to CPWB Chairperson Sarah Ahmad, a complaint regarding the matter was received through the Child Helpline. The girl was recovered from the residence of a doctor couple accused of routinely beating her over minor issues during the two years she had been employed
BAHAWALPUR: Thatha Sadiqabad police in Khanewal district claimed to have arrested an employee of the government primary boys school at 138/10-R village on the charges of raping an eighth class student. According to police, the class four school employee ‘A’ allegedly raped a student ‘U’. The police, on the complaint of the victim’s father Shaukat, registered an FIR under section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against the suspect and arrested him. The
PESHAWAR: The department of social welfare, merged districts, with the support of UNICEF on October 26, organised a vibrant event here titled ‘integrated sports, theatre, and arts activities for creative healing and resilience’. The initiative aimed to strengthen child protection systems by engaging marginalised community children and their caregivers in inclusive and participatory activities. Children from the Hindu community in Peshawar actively participated in sports, art, and theatre sessions that encouraged teamwork, creativity, and