ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: The government should immediately make budgetary allocation for the implementation of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2012. The Act would give right to education to all children between the ages five to sixteen years.

Besides, provincial governments should also enact Right to Free and Compulsory Education laws, in accordance with Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan.

This was stated by representatives of the Child Rights Movement (CRM), during a press conference in connection with Universal Children’s Day, at the National Press Club, in Islamabad.

Head of another NGO, Children First, Dr Irshad Danish said that Article 25-A ensures the right of education for all children.

He said that the government should review concerns raised by countries in the Human Rights Council’s (HRC) 14th Session, held on October 30 in Geneva.

A number of countries in the session urged the government of Pakistan to introduce enabling legislations, in order to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Pakistan ratified 22 years ago, Dr Danish said.

Habiba Nosheen representing Sahil said that in the Geneva session, countries from around the world expressed their concerns about Pakistan. UAE was concerned about the state of education; while UK was concerned about minority children being affected by various laws; Uruguay expressed concern about the forced recruitment and military training of children by non-state actors; Bhutan highlighted weak legislative framework and vulnerable state of children and France shared its concerns about increasing violence against women in Pakistan.

Media coordinator for CRM Meena Gabeena urged the government to accept all children specific recommendations and asked the federal government to push provincial governments to introduce children friendly laws.