JPP Hosts Live Screening of Pakistan UN Review

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk)- Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), in collaboration with the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Group Development Pakistan (GDP), the Legal Aid and Justice Authority (LAJA), and the Parliamentarian’s Commission on Human Rights (PCHR), hosted a live screening of Pakistan’s review before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Auditorium in Islamabad, supported by the European Union.

The event brought together journalists, diplomats, civil society organisations, child rights advocates, academics, and policy practitioners to observe Pakistan’s interactive dialogue with the UN Committee in real time. Participants engaged with questions raised by Committee members and the State delegation’s responses through informal discussions and live social media updates.

Shafique Chaudhry, Executive Director of PCHR, opened the session, stating, “Pakistan’s review under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a critical moment of accountability. Our Constitution already reflects the core principles of the Convention; the challenge now is to translate these guarantees into consistent protection for every child.”

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Child rights expert Valerie Khan added, “This is an opportunity not only to hold the state accountable but also other institutions, including the judiciary, executive, and legislature. The goal is to develop a clear roadmap to ensure effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.”

Pakistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990 and is obligated to align its laws, policies, and practices accordingly. The review follows Pakistan’s submission of its combined sixth and seventh periodic reports and comes at a critical moment given persistent challenges affecting children across education, healthcare, justice, and protection sectors.

Speaking at the event, Adil Anwar, Director General of LAJA, highlighted efforts to embed child rights within Pakistan’s justice system. He announced that rules have been passed under the Legal Aid and Justice Act, operationalising the authority. These rules will strengthen access to justice for children and improve compliance with Article 40 of the UNCRC on Fair Trial Rights by providing free, effective legal representation for all Pakistanis in need.

The Pakistan delegation visiting Geneva for the review was led by Minister of State for Law & Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik and included Federal Secretary MOHR Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, Chairperson Punjab Child Protection & Welfare Bureau Sarah Ahmad, and Barrister Zafarullah Khan. Over two days, they engaged in constructive discussions with the Committee on juvenile justice, education, healthcare, family care, child labour, trafficking, and other child rights issues.

The UN Committee will now issue recommendations for Pakistan, known as ‘Concluding Observations,’ which will guide national reform priorities for child rights over the next decade. Civil society engagement in these international review processes is crucial for translating recommendations into meaningful domestic reforms.

Justice Project Pakistan has previously facilitated public screenings of Pakistan’s engagements with international human rights mechanisms, including reviews under the ICCPR, CAT, and the Universal Periodic Review. These initiatives aim to strengthen public awareness and participation, bridging international accountability with domestic reform.

About JPP
Justice Project Pakistan is a legal action NGO representing vulnerable Pakistani prisoners at home and abroad. In December 2016, JPP received the National Human Rights Award presented by the President of Pakistan in recognition of its work.