DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Provincial Minister for Social Welfare, Special Education, and Women Empowerment, Syed Qasim Ali Shah, visited Batagram where he received a warm welcome from the district administration and officers of the Child Protection Unit (CPU).
During his visit, Minister Qasim Ali Shah formally inaugurated the Child Protection Unit in the district. The event was attended by Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand and Samiullah Khan, Deputy Commissioner Batagram Asif Ali Khan, District Police Officer, Additional Secretary Umra Khan, Chief Child Protection Officer Ejaz Muhammad Khan, UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist Sohail Ahmed, and representatives from other relevant organizations.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become the first province in Pakistan to introduce a comprehensive and integrated child protection system. Under this initiative, a provincial focal point has been established under the leadership of the Social Welfare Minister. Child Protection Units are now operational in 19 districts, with District Child Protection Committees led by Deputy Commissioners and community-based child protection committees working actively at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Child Protection Officer Ejaz Muhammad Khan shared that Child Protection Units have now been established in 21 districts, with plans to expand to the remaining districts soon. He revealed that the commission has so far provided services to over 34,086 children who were victims of abuse or exploitation.
Addressing the attendees, Minister Qasim Ali Shah emphasized the provincial government’s unwavering commitment to child protection, the safeguarding of children’s rights, and ensuring a secure future for them. He stated that the establishment of the CPU in Batagram is a clear reflection of this commitment. He added that the unit will play a vital role in preventing abuse, violence, and injustice against children, and serve as a coordination hub among all relevant institutions.
The minister appreciated the joint efforts of the district administration, Social Welfare Department, UNICEF, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection Commission. He expressed hope that the CPU would lay the foundation for a safer and brighter future for children in Batagram and beyond. On this occasion, he also announced that the provincial government will increase the grant-in-aid budget for the Child Protection Commission to facilitate the establishment of more CPUs across other districts.
