The Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR) has stressed the need to introduce “Good Touch, Bad Touch” education in school curricula to raise awareness among children and prevent abuse.
The caucus discussed key child rights challenges during a meeting held at Parliament House, attended by provincial and regional coordinators.
PCCR Convenor Dr Nikhat Shakeel Khan chaired the session, which focused on policy coordination, experience-sharing, and strengthening federal–provincial collaboration.
Dr Khan also highlighted the importance of population control awareness campaigns in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and called for urgent action to address stunted growth among children.
She emphasized the need for reliable data from institutions such as the Health Services Academy and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support evidence-based policymaking.
Islamabad Coordinator Asia Naz Tanoli, MNA, called for the installation of safety cameras in schools to prevent harassment and ensure a safe learning environment.
Sindh Provincial Coordinator Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, MNA, underscored the need for systematic data collection on child abuse cases at both federal and provincial levels.
She noted that child protection units operate in all districts of Karachi and urged a nationwide campaign to empower children to report abuse.
AJK Regional Coordinator Kiran Imran Dar, MNA, raised concerns over excessive consumption of fizzy drinks among children and called for preventive health measures.
Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education Farah Akbar Naz, MNA, warned that the number of out-of-school children may be far higher than the previously reported 26 million, calling for urgent reassessment.
Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan Coordinator Syed Ali Qasim Gillani, MNA, stressed the need for progress on population control and proposed legislation for summary trials in child abuse cases, with decisions within three months.
Punjab Coordinator Saba Sadiq, MNA, expressed concern over child involvement in drug smuggling, begging rings, and sexual exploitation, urging PEMRA to ensure greater media coverage of child rights issues.
Balochistan Coordinator Kiran Haider, MNA, is committed to pursuing the formal notification of a Child Rights Caucus in the province, while KP Coordinator Shaista Khan, MNA, highlighted poor nutrition standards in shelter homes and called for improved coordination on child nutrition.