Pakistan highlighted its growing commitment to child protection at the South Asia Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where Chairperson Child Protection & Welfare Bureau MPA Sarah Ahmad (T.I.) represented the country alongside Secretary Human Rights Abdul Khaliq Sheikh and Director General Human Rights Muhammad Arshad.
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended the event as Chief Guest, while the regional gathering brought together ministers, secretaries and senior officials from across South Asia to discuss stronger collective action against violence targeting children. The conference was jointly organized by SAARC, UNICEF and the World Health Organization, with a shared focus on building safer and more responsive systems for children in the region.
During her presentation, Sarah Ahmad outlined Pakistan’s progress in strengthening child protection systems, expanding child protection services and promoting positive parenting initiatives. She also shared updates on efforts to improve online child safety and on the development of a National Strategic Action Plan on Violence Against Children, reflecting Pakistan’s broader push to create safer environments for children at home, in schools and online.
She expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for nominating her to represent the country at the important regional forum and reaffirmed that Pakistan remains committed to ensuring every child grows up safe, protected and able to reach their full potential. The participation underscored Pakistan’s role in regional dialogue on child welfare and its determination to keep strengthening child protection through practical policy action.
