The Convenor of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR), Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, MNA, on Thursday vehemently denounced recent incidents of child abuse in Lahore, expressing serious alarm over the rising cases of violence and exploitation against minors nationwide.

Dr. Nikhat referenced an incident in Hanjarwal, where the principal of a private institution was apprehended for allegedly engaging in inappropriate conduct with an 11-year-old girl over two months. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by the victim’s parent, resulting in a case against the defendant.

She further condemned another occurrence in Mangamandi, where two individuals, Usman and Baqir, reportedly deceived a 16-year-old boy with false job offers and sexually assaulted him. Both suspects are now in custody.

Dr. Nikhat stated that such offenses not only cause irreparable harm to young victims but also undermine the ethical, societal, and cultural foundation of the community. ‘Protecting minors is a shared obligation and should be a primary national focus,’ she affirmed.

The PCCR Convenor urged all provincial child welfare agencies, especially the Punjab Child Protection Bureau, to guarantee prompt justice and strict legal action against perpetrators. She highlighted that demonstrable and decisive measures against offenders would discourage future offenses.

Advocating for widespread community engagement, Dr. Nikhat called upon civil society, community figures, and the public to aid law enforcement initiatives. She emphasized that unified determination, public involvement, and rigorous implementation of child protection statutes are crucial for eliminating such violations.

Reiterating the PCCR’s dedication, she concluded: ‘Our youth represent the nation’s future, and ensuring their dignity, safety, and welfare is a paramount duty we must uphold collectively.’