Mna Dr Nikhat Shakeel Urges For Cohesive Federal & Provincial Efforts To Promote Child Welfare
Islamabad; 13th December 2024; The Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR) convened a significant meeting with representatives from the US Embassy to discuss strengthening initiatives for child welfare and rights in Pakistan. Chaired by Honorable MNA Dr. Nikhat Shakeel, Convenor PCCR, the meeting brought together key officials from the National Assembly, including Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Special Secretary (SI); Ms. Minail Khan, Syed Haziq Bukhari, and Ms. Iffat Pervaz.
Representing the US Embassy were Raymond Nelson, Second Secretary, and Aftab Qureshi.
The discussions focused on legislative, institutional, and programmatic priorities, including addressing out-of-school children, eradicating child labor, ensuring polio vaccination compliance, and enhancing child protection mechanisms.
Participants highlighted the need for vocational training for children above 14, rehabilitation programs for child beggars, and data-driven policies to track and reintegrate children who left school during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PCCR emphasized ongoing collaborations with provincial assemblies, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s successful replication of a child parliament, and stressed the importance of cohesive federal and provincial efforts to advance child rights.
The US Embassy representatives reaffirmed their commitment to supporting these initiatives through USAID and facilitating institutional linkages with the US Congress to enhance collaboration. Both parties expressed a shared vision for holding a National Symposium in February 2025 to address these challenges comprehensively. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s future by prioritizing child welfare and rights through meaningful dialogue and actionable reforms.
