ISLAMABAD: The Senate Special Committee on Child Protection discussed the formulation of its terms of reference at a meeting on Monday.

Chaired by Senator Rubina Khalid, the meeting was attended by senators Rana Maqbool Ahmed and Mohammad Ali Khan Saif, as well as Ministry of Law and Justice Law Officer Naveed Zada Khan.

Senator Khalid explained that the committee was set up on directives from Senate Chairman Mohammad Sadiq Sanjrani to review child abuse issues in great detail, particularly with reference to an incident in a Mansehra seminary.

Last month, a 10-year-old student was sexually abused allegedly by a seminary teacher in Mansehra. The seminary was closed down and four people have been arrested.

The senator emphasised the need to sensitise people. She said society must play a role in addressing the issue, and urged the media to highlight such cases in the country.

She expressed concern regarding child abuse cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that she said were not being highlighted enough by the media.

Senator Ahmed said that senior members of local communities must watch over children of their area, and parents should ensure they have information on their children’s whereabouts and the company they keep.

Senator Saif said men and women in Pakistan need to be sensitised and it is also important to focus on children living in suburban areas.

He said the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority needed to be taken on board to ensure television channels run programmes that spread awareness regarding the issue.

He sad conflicts between laws were a major impediment to justice, and focusing on loopholes in laws was imperative for success. Senator Saif said the heads of the Wafaqul Madaris must be taken on board.

The committee recommended that the Zainab Alert, Recovery and Response Bill and the TORs of the previously formed committee must be studied intently.

The committee will also visit Abbotabad tomorrow (Wednesday) to look into the aforementioned incident and obtain details about what stage the investigation is at. The committee will also meet with the victim’s parents to assure them of its support.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2020