Senator Sherry Rehman says Pakistan faces a child protection crisis
In Pakistan, Pakistan Peoples Party Vice President and Senator Sherry Rehman said the country is facing a serious child protection crisis. She cited data on 1,914 reported cases of violence and abuse against children from January to June 2026, Dawn reports.
Rehman stressed that people who commit crimes against children must not evade accountability. According to her, such cases cannot be treated as isolated incidents and require an urgent and coordinated response.
Data on reported cases
According to the data cited by the senator, 80% of reported cases occurred in Punjab province. She called for determining whether children can safely report abuse, whether child protection institutions have adequate capacity, and whether perpetrators are being held accountable effectively.
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Rehman noted that 43% of the accused were acquainted with the victims, while nearly 45% of incidents reportedly occurred in the children's homes. Of the total number of cases, 57% were recorded in urban areas and 43% in rural areas.
Call for swift justice
The senator called it encouraging that police registered 89% of reported cases, but stressed that registration must be followed by prompt investigation and prosecution. She called on higher courts to ensure the speedy consideration of cases involving serious crimes against children and strict punishment for those whose guilt is established by a court.
Rehman also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, while stating that responsibility for children's safety cannot rest solely with families. In her view, the state has a constitutional and moral obligation to create conditions in which children do not live in fear of violence, exploitation, or abuse.
