ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Thursday voiced concerns over the rising incidents of child begging, child abuse, and drug use in both private and government educational institutions.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights held a meeting at Parliament House with Sahibzada Mohammad Hamid Raza in the chair to address pressing social issues affecting the youth.

Emphasising the urgency of the matter, the committee directed the Ministry of Human Rights and the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) to take measures to combat these growing social evils. The lawmakers called for stronger legislation and more rigorous enforcement of existing child protection laws.

“The safety and welfare of our children must be prioritised. We need concrete proposals to empower the NCRC and ensure that child protection laws are not just on paper but are actively enforced,” Mr Raza stated.

Additionally, the committee urged the Ministry of Human Rights to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use, child abuse and the misuse of social media platforms among students.

The briefing from other departments under the human rights ministry was deferred until the next meeting.

Earlier, the secretary and chairperson of the NCRC gave an overview of the commission’s mandate and activities which was met with appreciation by the committee members.

The matter of jail reforms was also discussed. The members observed that reforms were necessary to improve conditions in jails.

The chairman informed members that an application had been forwarded to Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Saddiq, requesting him to permit members of the human rights committee to visit Adiala Jail next week for a firsthand experience of the facilities there.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2025