Sindh CM wants to establish child protection units across province

Sindh Child Protection Authority directed to send recommendations for establishing units within a week

KARACHI: Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah has decided to establish Child Protection Units at all female police stations to deal with child abuse cases.

He made this decision while presiding over a meeting of the Child Protection Committee at CM House on Monday. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sohail Anwar Siyal and Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, Inspector-General of Police Allah Dino Khawaja, Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid, Principal Secretary to the CM Sohail Rajput, Education Secretary Iqbal Durani, Advocate Zia Awan, Shahzad Roy and others.



The CM said that children are the hope, future and beauty of our society and therefore, we have to protect them from abuse and nurture them with self-respect, dignity and care.

He directed the Sindh Child Protection Authority to convene its meeting and involve experts on child abuse to develop workable recommendations for establishing units, which children, their parents or guardians or friends can approach easily. "I want to receive these recommendations within a week," said Shah.

A proposal to establish units at every police station was discussed at the meeting but the CM said that the police stations have a different perception. "Mostly, people avoid going to a police station. Therefore, soft, decent and friendly units must be established in a place which not only the [absued] child, but their parents too can approach easily."

"I am of the view that women police stations may be an appropriate place where such kinds of cases could be dealt with," Shah said.



The IG proposed a separate desk for child protection could be established at police facilitation centres. These centres are being established at divisional headquarters where the social welfare department can post its necessary staff for receiving complaints and taking action.

The social welfare department proposed to establish a separate police force comprising senior lady police officers with other properly trained policemen to deal with such cases.

The CM said he wants concrete measures to be taken for child protection. "The unit should be seen operating and giving results," he said, adding that the Sindh Child Protection Authority should hold its full session meeting and come up with solid recommendations.



"I don't have problem with sparing funds for the purpose and am even ready to outsource the centres, but I want results," he said.

The proposal to establish units at female police stations has been approved but its implementation would be made when the Sindh Child Protection Authority comes up with other proposals within a week.