Abbottabad gets child protection unit

Qaiser announces enhancing capacity of child protection helpline 1121

PESHAWAR:

A child protection unit will be established in each district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to ensure the safety and protection of children.

K-P’s Caretaker Minister for Social Welfare, Special Education, and Women Empowerment, Justice (retd) Irshad Qaiser on Tuesday reiterated the government’s dedication to fulfill both international and national obligations towards safeguarding children.

Emphasizing the significance of prioritizing child protection, Qaiser announced plans to establish a child protection unit in every district of the province, alongside enhancing the capacity of the child protection helpline 1121.

Read Child protection in the spotlight

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Child Protection Unit in Abbottabad, organized with the support of UNICEF and overseen by the Department of Social Welfare, Special Education, and Women Empowerment, Qaiser praised the collaborative efforts involved.

Commissioner Hazara Division, Syed Zaheer-ul Islam, highlighted the collective responsibility of the government and society in ensuring the safety and rights of children, citing strong Islamic principles advocating for their protection.

Dr Aneela Mehfuz Durrani, Secretary of the Social Welfare and Special Education, and UNICEF representatives, Qaiser underscored the importance of a comprehensive child protection system.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th 2024.