LHC orders shelter home reform

Govt given six months to regulate women, child protection centres

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh has ordered the Punjab government to implement new regulations for shelter homes and child protection centres to ensure improved oversight, safety, and operational efficiency.

Justice Sheikh's instructions came following petitions that raised concerns over conditions at these facilities and questioned their management, pointing out persistent regulatory issues and safety lapses.

The judgment mandates Punjab authorities to develop comprehensive rules within six months, underlining the need for safe and supportive environments in all shelters and child protection centres.

Justice Sheikh directed that new rules be established under Section 29 of the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016, and Section 22 of the Punjab Women Protection Authority Act 2017 to regulate all shelter homes and protection centres across Punjab.

Similarly, he emphasised the creation of rules under Section 49 of the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act 2004 to standardise child protection institutions, giving the government a six-month deadline for these reforms.

Justice Sheikh has instructed the Punjab government to form District Women Protection Committees in each district within three months, in accordance with Section 11 of the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016.

He underscored the importance of training District Women Protection Officers, Women Protection Officers, and related staff to ensure they can adequately fulfill their duties.

District and Sessions Judges have also been directed to inspect all shelter homes bi-monthly to address residents' complaints and ensure compliance with safety protocols.

To protect the dignity and safety of female residents in these facilities, Justice Sheikh ordered the removal of non-essential male staff within shelter homes.

He recommended deploying female police constables on-site 24/7 and installing CCTV cameras at entry points to monitor and prevent unauthorised access.

Acknowledging the importance of financial independence for women residing in shelter homes, Justice Sheikh directed the provincial authorities to implement vocational training programs in these facilities.

This initiative aims to equip women with practical skills to support their livelihoods upon re-entering society.

For the child protection institutions, Justice Sheikh ordered the Punjab government to form a Board of Governors within one month, as stipulated under Section 6 of the PNDC Act.

The Board will oversee and evaluate child protection operations. Furthermore, the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) has been directed to draft regulations to ensure minimum standards of care and facilitate easy access for parents visiting their children in these institutions.

The court has mandated the CPWB to establish child protection units across local areas, including district and tehsil levels, and ensure all institutions housing destitute or neglected children are duly registered.

Information on these institutions should be accessible to the public on the Bureau's website to promote transparency and awareness.

Underlining the importance of transparency, Justice Sheikh ordered all concerned departments to ensure information accessibility under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013.

This includes appointing public information officers, organizing information, and publishing annual reports. He also recommended updating departmental websites to display comprehensive details of services offered by shelter homes and protection centers.

Justice Sheikh scheduled the matter for a progress review before any available Bench in May 2025, requiring the Chief Secretary of Punjab to submit an update on the reforms.

Justice Sheikh concluded by extending gratitude to Barrister Khadija Yasmin Bokhari, Advocate Usama Khawar, and Research Officer Asim Murtaza Cheema for their contributions to the case.