Assembly seeks swift justice for children

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution condemning the rising incidents of sexual abuse, violence, abduction and murder of children, demanding a fast-track judicial mechanism for sexual offence cases involving minors.

The resolution called for ending the provision of compromise between parties in child sexual abuse cases and providing legal, psychological and social support to victims' families. The house also stressed strict enforcement of existing laws and further strengthening of legislation for child protection.

Opposition members wore black armbands to express solidarity with the family of minor Ayat Noor, who was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered in Haripur.

Treasury member Qasim Ali Shah, while moving the resolution, said the increasing incidents of sexual abuse, violence, abduction and murder of children were a matter of grave concern. He said effective legislation, along with strict implementation of existing laws, was essential to protect children.

The resolution called for modernising police investigation procedures, forensic facilities and DNA services and ensuring transparent and speedy investigations into crimes against children. It also demanded an effective judicial mechanism to ensure that perpetrators were punished without delay.

The lawmakers said failure to punish offenders promptly encouraged serious crimes and stressed that state institutions must take effective measures to safeguard children and ensure justice for victims.

Meanwhile, minority lawmaker Suresh Kumar raised serious concerns over the death of a sanitation worker at Tehsil Tangi Hospital in Charsadda. He alleged that the incident, in which the worker reportedly fell from a tree while pruning branches, was being portrayed as a case of alcohol consumption and suicide.

Kumar said the deceased had completed his night duty and was carrying out tree-pruning work on the hospital administration's instructions when he fell and died. He demanded action against the hospital's medical superintendent, a transparent investigation, financial assistance for the bereaved family and a government job for one of the deceased's children.

Law Minister Aftab Alam said the deceased was employed as a sanitation worker but was assigned additional duties because of staff shortages.

Separately, the provincial government has introduced the K-P Healthcare Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026 to strengthen regulation of healthcare services and protect patients' rights.