  The report covering the year 2001 on the state of Pakistan’s children dwells on activities relating to child rights, and applauds some accomplishments. Foremost among these was the formation of a National Steering Committee, meant to coordinate Pakistan’s preparations for the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children. It was also decided that this was the opportune time to bring children into the mainstream of the national development agenda.
The events of September 11, however, led to a postponement of the Session that was eventually held in May 2002. The delay led to a slowdown in activity locally, although Pakistan’s involvement in the ‘war on terror’ could not have impacted on all ministries and provincial departments within the government.
On a brighter note, movement continued in the education sector. With the resumption of funding by USAID, came the Islamabad Capital Territory Compulsory Education Ordinance, introduced in March 2002. The Ordinance binds parents to send their children to school until the completion of their primary education course. Failure to comply is punishable with a fine. Such laws exist on the statute books in all the provinces, except Balochistan, but the issue of non-implementation needs to be tackled seriously.
Other achievements included the passage of a resolution by the National Steering Committee (drafted by SPARC) that called for all laws awaiting implementation to enter into force; the Punjab Children Ordinance, the Reformatory Schools Act, the Sindh Borstal Schools Act, and the Vagrancy Ordinance. The Resolution also called for the establishment of Borstal schools in all the provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir; the compulsory vaccination of all child prisoners; bail for all under-trial children; free education to children in jail, as also access to leisure and recreation; and a ban on the use of fetters for children. On a more disturbing note, was the failure to have juvenile courts established. Other measures that move in favor of child rights are also outlined, and statistics provide a clearer picture of conditions pertaining to juvenile offenders.
Chapter one focuses on education, detailing budgetary allocations and the Education Sector Reform Action Plan 2001-2004. The government’s inclination towards public-private partnerships in the social development sector is highlighted, and constraints within the education sector in Pakistan are examined.
A detailed look at the Social Action Program shows the government’s proclivity towards short term poverty alleviation measures, and the setback suffered by the SAP due to cutbacks in relation to outlays agreed upon by donors.
The report on child labor cites Pakistan’s ratification of ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labor (No 182) as one of the highlights of 2001. However, SPARC reiterates that enabling legislation must come for the ratification to be effective, and points out that the government has yet to ban child labor altogether. The issue of domestic child labor is also tackled in this report, as also local and foreign donor funds programs aiming at the elimination of child labor.
Chapter four examines issues relating to street children; health, social problems, male child prostitution etc., and looks at government interventions, and efforts to protect street children initiated by UNICEF. The section on lessons and recommendations calls for a plan of action for educating street children that remains wary of creating an inducement for child labor, offers examples of night-shelters, half-way homes and drop-in centers established by NGOs as a more effective alternative to state institutions, and advocates protection through legal reform and law enforcement.
In the section on Child Rights, the report reviews progress made towards realizing goals enshrined in the Summit Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the World Summit for Children. It also looks at regional consultations that took place throughout the world as a lead up to the UNGASS on Children, and the Global Movement for Children, that brings together some of the world’s largest organizations in a partnership to raise awareness of issues confronting children.
The report on Health looks at the National Health Policy that defines the government’s strategy for this sector. Many of the reforms outlined are essentially the strengthening and expansion of on-going programs. Certain aspects of the policy are controversial, with experts being skeptical about provisions regarding posting of doctors in rural areas, and the Pakistan Medical Association complaining that suggestions were not solicited from doctors’ professional bodies before formulation of the policy. It is clear that low budgetary allocations are a major factor in the failure of the government to provide adequate health care to the people; only 0.7 percent of GNP has been allocated as against WHO recommendations for five percent of GNP.
The report also looks at the Lady Health Workers Program, a major federal initiative at the community level, the health management information system, secondary and tertiary hospitals etc., and the effect of maternal health on infant mortality. Progress on the Expanded Program of Immunization is measured, and issues relating to smoking discussed.
A chapter is devoted to Afghan Children, with health predicaments and the issue of landmines, educational dilemmas and the state of Afghan refugees in Pakistan discussed in some detail. The report concludes that the children of Afghanistan, whether in their own country or in Pakistan, are whiling away their time working in workshops or rummaging through garbage for food; they have no access to clean water, and instead of going to school, they live a nomadic existence, searching for an unseen, unknown future.
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KARACHI, Oct 27: Parents of 18-year-old Tasleem Solangi, who was killed in an extremely inhumane manner allegedly by some elders of her tribe, have appealed to President and Sindh Chief Minister to provide them protection as “killers are still at large and have not been arrested because of their connections with police”.
