Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar addressed an event in Islamabad organised by the National Commission on the Rights of Child to mark World Childrens Day 2025, reaffirming Pakistan’s determination to ensure every child grows up safe, healthy, educated and protected from all forms of harm.
The gathering brought together senior officials including Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson NCRC, Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, representatives of civil society and government, and children invited from across the country to share their perspectives and priorities.
The minister emphasised that World Childrens Day is a reminder of the shared responsibility of government, institutions, civil society, communities and families to protect the rights and dignity of every child. He highlighted Pakistan’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and underlined progress in strengthening systems that support and protect children, saying these efforts keep children at the centre of decision-making and social development.
At the same time, the minister acknowledged persistent challenges that deny children equal opportunity, naming barriers to education, health, nutrition, protection and legal identity. He stressed that addressing these issues requires sustained political will, strong institutional collaboration and active involvement by parents and communities across Pakistan.
Barrister Aqeel Malik detailed recent measures to improve child protection, including strengthened birth registration systems, operational District Child Protection Units, deployment of the national Child Protection Information Management System, a 24/7 helpline, advancement of child protection policies, completion of national and provincial child labour surveys and steps on child marriage legislation to safeguard vulnerable children.
Ayesha Raza Farooq reaffirmed the NCRC’s focus on ensuring that children’s voices shape policy and decision-making. She expressed pride in the Child Advisory Panel that brings forward the lived realities and ideas of children from diverse backgrounds and urged all institutions, communities and families to place children at the centre of national priorities. When we listen to children, we move closer to building a Pakistan where every child can dream freely and safely.
Pernille Ironside of UNICEF stressed that every child deserves to grow up safe, happy and hopeful, and noted that far too many children still wake without nutritious food, a sense of safety or access to learning. She called for intensified action guided by children’s own voices to close those gaps.
The event underlined the collective role of government, civil society and families in creating a safe, supportive and empowering environment for children. Marking World Childrens Day 2025, speakers reiterated that investing in child protection, registration and community-based services is an investment in Pakistan’s future and the wellbeing of its next generation.
