LAHORE: “The biggest problem that Pakistan faces today is that of child abuse,” says Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari.

Ms Mazari was the chief guest at the launch of a web portal to streamline treaty reporting for strengthening of human rights and the GSP Plus status at an event at the Faletti’s Hotel on Friday.

It was organized by the Human Rights Department in collaboration with Search for Justice. “Every time there is an incident, it is followed by an uproar, which eventually fades away. But what about prior to the incident? There is a serious lack of awareness and issue in the mindset of the people which needs to be changed.”

She said that a ‘Zainab Alert Bill’ had already been drafted and sent to the Standing Committee of Human Rights, whose chairperson is Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. “I do not understand why that bill is stuck in the standing committee, this is about children, why politicize the matter?” she said.

The minister said she would personally visit government and private schools to spread awareness about the issue of child abuse and hold discussions with parents and teachers.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2019