Islamabad Capital Territory

Implementing Agencies

Child Protection

Child Protection Institute (CPI)

About: CPI offers  rescue, shelter, counseling, family tracing and rehabilitation services to  children in need of protection. CPI for boys is located in Islamabad H-9 and there is no residential facility for girls in Islamabad.

Jurisdiction: Islamabad Capital Territory

Cyber Crime Wing- FIA

About: Cybercrime Wing (CCW), of Federal Investigation Agency, is guided by laws under prevention of Electronic Crimes ACT (PECA) 2016, which deals with the growing threats of cybercrimes. Any cases related to online form of child abuse is dealt by Cyber Crime Wing.

Jurisdiction:  National

Anti Human Trafficking and Smuggling Wing- FIA

About: The Anti Human Trafficking and Smuggling Wing (AHS) deals with organized crimes like human trafficking taking across borders. (Internal trafficking is the domain of Police).

Jurisdiction: National

Islamabad Capital Territory Police

About: The role of Islamabad Police is to prevent, detect and investigate crimes, maintain law and order effectively and to provide safe, secure and public friendly environment to the citizens of Islamabad including children. 

Police and children in Pakistan are connected in a number of ways, primarily through the role of the police in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. One of the key roles of the police in Pakistan is to protect children from violence, abuse, and exploitation. This includes investigating and prosecuting cases of all types of child abuse, internal trafficking, and exploitation, as well as providing support and assistance to child victims and their families. The police also play an important role in ensuring the safety of children in public spaces, such as parks, schools, and playgrounds. They may conduct regular patrols, and respond to reports of suspicious activity or potential threats to children.

In addition, the police play an important role in dealing with juvenile offenders or children who have been accused of committing crimes. When a juvenile offender is arrested, the police are usually the first point of contact. The police are responsible for investigating the alleged offense and gathering evidence to determine whether there is enough evidence to charge the juvenile offender with a crime. Once a juvenile offender has been charged, the police may also be involved in the court proceedings. They may be required to testify in court about the investigation and the evidence they gathered.

Jurisdiction: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)

National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA)

Nadra is also responsible to issuing the computerised national identity cards to the citizens of Pakistan, maintaining their sensitive informational upgraded in the government databases, and securing national identities of the citizens of Pakistan from being stolen and theft. NADRA has gained recognition for its success in providing solutions for identification, e-governance and secure documents.

NADRA issues Child Registration Certificate (CRC). CRC is a registration document used to register minors under the age of 18 years.  NADRA has been able to automate and in turn facilitate the process of acquiring Child Registration Certificates. CRC is also known as B-form. CRC can be taken by providing documented proof of child birth from union council.

NADRA also issues a Juvenile card. Juvenile Card is an identity card issued to children under the age of 18 years. The chip-based card is distinguished from Child Registration Certificate (CRC) as it is an ‘entitled document’ with multiple facilities.

Jurisdiction: National

Labour Welfare Department, ICT

Labour Welfare Department, works under ICT Administration is responsible for the implementation of  Labour Laws in Islamabad Capital Territory, including Factories Act, 1934, Payment of Wages Act, 1936, West Pakistan Shops & Establishment Ordinance 1969, West Pakistan Industrial & Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968, Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961, Industrial Relation Act, 2012 and Workmen Compensation Act, 1923. Reponsibility of Labour Welfare Department are:

• Inspection of Factories / Shops and Commercial Establishments
• Registration of Factories
• Registration of Shops and Commercial Establishments
• To refer the case of wages of workers to the Authority under Payment of Wages Act, 1936
• Decision of Compensation cases under Workmen Compensation Act, 1923
• Elimination of Child/bonded labour from Islamabad

Jurisdiction: Islamabad Capital Territory

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is a government organization in Pakistan responsible for coordinating and managing disaster response efforts at the national level. The NDMA was established in 2005, following the devastating earthquake that occurred in the country that year.

The NDMA is responsible for developing and implementing policies and strategies related to disaster management, as well as for providing guidance and support to other government agencies and organizations involved in disaster response efforts. Additionally, NDMA is responsible for the provision of early warning and disaster preparedness, and also for the management of search and rescue operations, evacuation, and relief and rehabilitation activities.

The NDMA is headed by a Chairman, who is appointed by the President of Pakistan. The organization is also composed of a number of different departments and divisions, each with specific responsibilities related to disaster management.

NDMA works closely with other government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, and the private sector to ensure that the country is prepared to respond to natural and man-made disasters, and to minimize the impact of these events on communities and individuals.

Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Agency (ZARRA)

The Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Agency (ZARRA) was established under the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act, 2020. Section 3 of the Act provides for the establishment of the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Agency. The Act was named after Zainab, a six-year-old girl who was abducted from her home in Kasur in 2018 and subsequently raped and killed. The law applies to all four provinces of Pakistan and Islamabad Capital Territory and defines a child as anyone under the age of 18. ZARRA is mandated to coordinate with the help lines and all relevant federal and provincial level for referral of missing and abducted children. The Director General is responsible for the administration of ZARRA, while oversight of ZARRA has been delegated to the ICT Child Protection Advisory Board.

Health

Children’s Hospital- PIMS Hospital

The Children Hospital is a children hospital since 1985 in the premises of PIMS, catering for children of ages up to 12 years providing medical, surgical and intensive care facilities including pediatric and neonatal health care.

Pediatrics ward- Polyclinic Hospital

Ministries

Ministries in the Federal Government of Pakistan are responsible for the implementation of government policies and the delivery of public services in specific areas, the development of policies and legislation, the management and allocation of budget and coordination with other Ministries and provinces. The important ministries dealing with issues of children at Federal includes:

Ministry of Human Rights

Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MOH) is a government ministry in Pakistan that is responsible for developing and implementing policies and regulations related to the health sector in the country. The Ministry’s mandate includes the following:

• Developing and implementing policies and regulations related to health care and public health
• Coordinating with other government agencies, such as the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to improve the quality of healthcare services
• Managing and supervising the health care system at federal level
• Providing financial assistance to the provinces for health sector
• Overseeing the registration and management of the country’s healthcare institutions
• Developing and promoting preventive health care services
• Providing guidance, counseling and other support services to patients, families and health care providers
• Regulating medical education and practice
• Coordinating with other countries and international organizations to improve the health sector of Pakistan.

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is headed by a Federal Minister, who is appointed by the Prime Minister and answerable to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Ministry is also composed of several departments and divisions, such as the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and the Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC) which are responsible for specific areas of work within the Ministry’s mandate.

Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD) is a government ministry in Pakistan that is responsible for addressing the issues and concerns of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development in the country. The Ministry’s mandate includes the following:

• Developing and implementing policies and legislation related to Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development
• Coordinating with other government agencies, such as the Pakistan Overseas Employment Corporation (POEC) and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) to improve the welfare of Overseas Pakistanis
• Managing and supervising the programs and initiatives for the welfare and protection of Overseas Pakistanis
• Providing financial assistance to the Overseas Pakistanis and their families
• Representing the interests of Overseas Pakistanis at international forums
• Providing assistance to the returning Overseas Pakistanis
• Developing and promoting human resource development in the country
• Providing guidance, counseling and other support services to Overseas Pakistanis and their families
• Coordinating with other countries and international organizations to improve the welfare of Overseas Pakistanis and human resource development in Pakistan

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development is headed by a Federal Minister, who is appointed by the Prime Minister and answerable to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Ministry is also composed of several departments and divisions, such as the Overseas Pakistanis Division and the Human Resource Development Division which are responsible for specific areas of work within the Ministry’s mandate

ASSIGNED BUSINESS

The assigned business of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development as per Schedule-II of Rules of Business, 1973 (as amended up to 14th September, 2021) is as under: –

1. National policy, planning and coordination regarding manpower development and employment promotion for intending overseas workers.
2. Preparation of short and long-term programmes for manpower development and employment promotion abroad.
3. Research into problems of overseas Pakistanis; promotion and coordination of measures best suited to resolving them and motivating Pakistani citizens abroad to strengthen their links with the mother country.
4. Policy for linkages between the training of workers/labour force with the latest requirements abroad.
5. Linkage of training imparted at training institutes like National Training Bureau, Pakistan Manpower Institute etc. with the efforts for increase in manpower export through Overseas Employment Corporation and Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment. This would also include close coordination and linkage with the Community Welfare Attaches abroad.
6. Welfare of Pakistani emigrants abroad and their dependents in Pakistan.
7. Periodic assessment, review and analysis of manpower resources and employment requirements overseas.
8. Administrative control of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation.
9. Special Selection Board for selection of Community Welfare Attaches for posting in Pakistan Missions abroad.
10. Administration of: –
    1. the Emigration Ordinance, 1979, (XVIII of 1979) and;
    2. the Control of Employment Ordinance, 1965 (XXXII of 1965);
    3. the Workers Welfare Fund Ordinance, 1971 (XXXVI of 1971);
    4. the Companies Profits (Workers Participation) Act, 1968 (XII of 1968); and
    5. the Employees’ Old Age Benefits Act, 1976 (XIV of 1976) including supervision and control of the employees’ old age benefits institutions.
11. Administrative control of: –
    1. Overseas Employment Corporation; and
    2. Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment.
12. Foreign Employment and Emigration.
13. Administration of the Industrial Relations Act, 2012 (X of 2012), keeping a watch on labour legislation from international perspective, coordination of labour legislation in Pakistan and the Industrial Relations Commission.
14. Dealing and agreements with international organizations in the fields of labour and social security.

Oversight and Monitoring Agencies

Commissions | Ombudsman

National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC)

About: The National Commission on the Rights of Child has a broad and overarching mandate for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of child rights in Pakistan.  The primary functions and powers of the NCRC include, among others, to conduct inquiries into allegations of child rights abuse(s); review existing and proposed legislation from child rights perspective; carry out research and advise on policy matters pertaining to the situation of child rights in Pakistan; contribute awareness-raising and advocacy initiatives and suggest measures to follow up on the implementation of concluding observation of the Committee. The Commission became operational in February 2020, with the appointment of the Chairperson and its Members.

Jurisdiction: National

Please click here for more details of the NCRC.

National Commission for Human Rights

Similar to the NCRC, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) is a federal statutory body set up in 2015. It is an independent National Human Rights Institute (NHRI) developed under the Paris Principles. As an impartial state body, the NCHR works independently of the Government and is directly accountable to the Parliament of Pakistan. The primary functions and powers of the NCHR include, among others, to conduct investigations into allegations of human rights abuse(s), either on petitions filed by individuals or institutions, or through suo-moto action; review existing and proposed legislation in relation to human rights principles; carry out research and advise on policy matters pertaining to the situation of human rights in Pakistan; contribute to national human rights awareness-raising and advocacy initiatives in the country; review and report on the Government’s implementation and monitoring of the state of human rights; make technical recommendations and follow up on the implementation of treaty obligations and develop a national plan of action for the promotion, protection and fulfillment of human rights in Pakistan.

Jurisdiction: National

National Commission for the Status of Women

National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) came into existence through a presidential ordinance and was established by the NCSW Act, 2012 as a financially and an administratively autonomous statutory body.  The basic role of NCSW is to examine and review laws, policies, programmes and monitor the implementation of laws for the protection and empowerment of women, and to facilitate the government in the implementation of international instruments and obligations. The core work of NCSW is central to the principles of gender equality and empowerment as enshrined in the Constitution.  The NCSW Act 2012 gives the Commission the powers to seek and receive information, data or documents from any official source and powers of a civil court to enforce the attendance of any person and production of documents.

Jurisdiction: National

Wafaqi Mohtasib

The Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman) of Pakistan is an independent institution established to investigate and resolve complaints of citizens including children of maladministration against administrative agencies of the government. The Wafaqi Mohtasib is appointed by the President of Pakistan and serves as a mediator between citizens and government agencies, working to ensure that government services are provided in a fair and efficient manner. The office of the Wafaqi Mohtasib also has the power to make recommendations for improvements to government policies and procedures.

Jurisdiction: National but limited to Departments appointed by the Federal Government

Committees/Networks

National Committee for Children

The Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman Office) has re-constituted a National Committee for Children  in January 2022. The Terms of Reference for the Committee includes:

• monitor the status of rights of children in Pakistan especially children at risk; and redressing grievences of children through Advisor/ Grievance Commissioner for Children, appointed by Honorable Wafaqi Mohtasib,
• addressing systematic issues relating to child rights through: (a) broad-based consultative meetings with key stakeholders; (b) formation of thematic Task Force or Sub-Committees; (c) Initiating/ sponsoring research studies relating to child rights; (d) raising awareness about child rights and protection thereof through electronic and print media, seminars and other available means; (e) Other steps, as deemed appropriate by the Committee
• Recommend policy and legal reforms for the protection and welfare of children; and
• Performs such other function as it deems necessary for the protection and promotion of child rights

Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights

The Speaker of National Assembly  has constituted the first-ever Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights under the convenorship of Member National Assembly/Parliamentary Secretary on Law & Justice. The Parliamentary Caucus include parliamentarians from National Assembly. The Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights constituted in pursuance of unanimous resolution adopted by National Assembly during its session held on 20th October 2022. This resolution was adopted to ensure provision of fundamental rights to all Children as the bright future of the country is interlinked with growth and development of children. The resolution was tabled by MNA/Parliamentary Secretary on Law & Justice Ms. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz.

National Assembly Standing Committee for Human Rights

The Standing Committees of the National Assembly operate under the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly 2007. The Standing Committee considers Bills referred by the Assembly or the Speaker of Assembly and submits its report to the Assembly or the Speaker with such recommendations as it deems necessary, including any proposed legislation. The committee shall consider whether the Bill contravenes or flouts the Constitution or is otherwise unconstitutional. The committee shall also examine the expenditure, administration, delegated legislation, public petitions and policies of the ministry concerned and its associated public bodies and may forward its report with the findings.

The scope and mandate of the NA Standing Committee on Human Rights is to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights and protection against discrimination for all citizens.

Senate Committee for Human Rights

The Senate Committee for Human Rights is a standing committee of the Senate of Pakistan, the upper house of the country’s parliament. The committee is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on legislation related to human rights, as well as investigating and reporting on human rights abuses and violations in the country. The committee also plays a role in promoting and protecting the human rights of all citizens of Pakistan, including marginalized and vulnerable groups. The Committee can also undertake studies and make recommendations for redressing the human right violations including proposal for legislation in that area. The Chairman of the Senate Committee for Human Rights in Pakistan is appointed by the Senate Chairman