NCRC seeks report on schoolgirl's torture

While the National Commission on Rights of the Child (NCRC) received 49 per cent of complaints from Punjab in the last three years, it has taken notice of the torture on a schoolgirl in Lahore.

The commission has condemned the incident and said it was violative of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan Penal Code and provincial laws and policies of Punjab.

According to a statement issued by NCRC, the Punjab School Education Department (SED) has the responsibility to regulate and monitor private education in the province. The department constituted a committee to examine matters related to private educational institutions, including legal framework, costs, teachers, issues, fees, child-security and safety. Therefore, NCRC has directed the secretary to School Education Department to submit an inquiry report on the incident.

Under the Punjab Free and Compulsory Education Act 2014, SED has to devise a mechanism in pubic and private schools to prevent such incidents and ensure protection of children from abuse, exploitation and torture.

NCRC Chairperson Afshan Tehseen said the incident once again highlighted the fact that child protection system was failing to protect children in Punjab.

Chairperson says incident showed child protection system failing in Punjab

"The NCRC has received 49 per cent of complaints from Punjab in last three years. We are monitoring the situation and have directed the secretary to the government of Punjab, School Education Department, deputy commissioner and the DPO Lahore to submit an inquiry report within seven days," she said.