07/08/2026
CHILD PROTECTION IN PAKISTAN: LAWS EXIST, BUT ARE THEY BEING EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENTED?
According to the latest report by child protection NGO Sahil, 1,914 cases of child abuse were reported across Pakistan during the first six months of 2026.
The reported cases included:
• 1,015 cases of child sexual abuse
• 558 cases of abduction
• 101 cases of missing children
• 35 cases of child marriage
• 49 infants found abandoned by the roadside
These are not merely statistics. Behind every number is a child whose safety, dignity and fundamental rights have been violated.
Pakistan has laws and institutions specifically established for the protection of children.
The National Commission on the Rights of Child, NCRC, has an important mandate to monitor violations of children’s rights, examine existing laws and policies, inquire into complaints and advocate for effective protection of children.
In Islamabad, the ICT Child Protection Act, 2018 provides a legal framework for the protection of children in need of care and protection. The child protection system is expected to identify children at risk, respond to cases of abuse and neglect, ensure their safety, and facilitate their protection and rehabilitation.
Yet the continuing number of cases raises serious questions about the effectiveness of implementation, intervention and follow up.
Child protection cannot end with receiving a complaint, completing paperwork, or simply returning a child to his or her family. Where abuse or violence is alleged, there must be a proper assessment of the child’s safety, effective intervention and meaningful follow up.
NCRC and child protection institutions must be more visible, accessible, responsive and accountable. Their role must extend beyond reacting to reported cases. Prevention and public awareness must become a priority.
A major concern is the lack of awareness among the public. Many parents, teachers and children still do not know:
• What constitutes child abuse
• How and where abuse should be reported
• What legal protection is available
• Which institutions are responsible for protecting a child
• What to do when the alleged abuser is a family member or someone known to the child
Awareness campaigns must reach schools, homes and communities. Children should receive age appropriate education about personal safety, boundaries and how to seek help. Parents and teachers must know how to recognise warning signs and where to report concerns.
1,914 reported cases in only six months demand more than expressions of concern.
We need effective implementation of existing laws, stronger institutional accountability, timely intervention, proper follow up and widespread public awareness.
A law protects a child only when it is implemented.
Every child has the right to safety, dignity and protection.
If you, your child, or someone you know has experienced child abuse, violence or exploitation, contact LAWSMITHS for confidential legal guidance and assistance.
LAWSMITHS
Advocates & Legal Consultants