ISLAMABAD: The Unicef Pakistan Advisory Council (UPAC) was launched on Tuesday to create a platform to advance child rights in Pakistan.

The council brings together thought leaders, philanthropists and advocates who share Unicef’s values and a commitment to tackling the challenges facing children, from access to education, nutrition and protection to gender barriers, frontier technologies and climate change, Unicef announced.

“This is an important moment for children in Pakistan. The council brings together a diverse network of leaders and advocates to inspire, engage and collaborate to create a more equitable Pakistan for children. The UPAC will help forge new pathways and co-create solutions that uplift children to reach their true potential,” said Unicef Representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil.

UPAC is co-chaired by Abdullah Fadil, Unicef Representative in Pakistan, and Murtaza Hashwani, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

The council currently consists of 17 members from the business sector, civil society, media and academia who are committed to promoting child rights and bringing about a positive change in their areas of influence.

The council will convene regularly to discuss strategies, leverage their networks and resources, explore innovations, and share insights and expertise to inform Unicef’s programmes and child-centred solutions.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2024

Editorial

Updated 12 Aug, 2026

Mideast outreach

OVER the past few days, Pakistan has been going the extra mile to assure Iran that the Makkah Joint Defence ...
12 Aug, 2026

Nutrition emergency

MALNUTRITION has become one of the biggest obstacles to Pakistan’s development. Around 40pc of children under five...
12 Aug, 2026

Housing deficit

THE federal cabinet’s zoning directive has the potential to be the most consequential decision in the redefinition...
Updated 11 Aug, 2026

Equal citizens

Religious minorities continue to face mob violence, attacks on their places of worship, forced conversions and social and economic exclusion.
Updated 11 Aug, 2026

Tel Aviv’s subterfuge

These verbal gymnastics indicate that Tel Aviv has no intention of ending its occupation of the Strip.
11 Aug, 2026

Abandoned after floods

THREE years after the 2022 floods submerged a third of Pakistan, more than 134,000 verified affected families in...