NCRC Launches Pakistan’s First-Ever State of Children Report
The National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) officially released its first-ever the State of Children in Pakistan Report 2024 during a ceremony held in Islamabad on 30 April 2025. The launch marked a significant milestone in the country’s child rights landscape, positioning the report as a central tool for evidence-based policy formulation, planning, and monitoring. The report aims to provide a clear snapshot of how children in Pakistan are faring across these dimensions, and what institutional reforms are needed to close critical gaps.
The event was graced by the Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, who praised the report as a “call to action” for all stakeholders working to improve the lives of children in Pakistan. NCRC Chairperson Ayesha Raza Farooq, in her opening remarks, underscored the uniqueness of the report as the country’s first child rights-based national resource. The report draws on data and evidence across critical thematic areas including education, health, protection, justice, inclusion, and participation—offering a holistic view of the situation of children nationwide.
Authored by Qindeel Shujaat, Executive Director of Obun2, the report was prepared with the support of the Obun2 research team, including Sidra Haya Ali-Qazalbash, Zoha Faiz, and Azmat Habib. Mr Qindeel Shujaat also presented the key findings of the report during the launch event, highlighting critical gaps and opportunities in Pakistan’s child protection framework. His presentation emphasised the need for urgent cross-sectoral coordination, targeted policy reforms, and stronger budgetary commitments to improve the state of child rights across the country.
The State of Children in Pakistan Report 2024 presents a data-rich, cross-sectoral overview of children’s wellbeing. It highlights areas of progress such as increased immunisation coverage, rising school enrolment rates, and growing awareness of online safety. However, it also brings to light persistent challenges, including widespread child labour, high rates of malnutrition, large numbers of out-of-school children, and the systemic exclusion of children with disabilities and those from marginalised communities.
The launch was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including parliamentarians, diplomats, UN representatives, civil society leaders, child rights advocates, development partners, and media. Among the international voices, Jo Moir, Development Director at the British High Commission, highlighted the importance of the report for enabling child-responsive governance, noting the UK’s support through the AAWAZ II programme.
A high-level panel discussion followed, moderated by Valerie Khan Yousafza, Technical Adviser to NCRC. The panel featured several leading experts: Amna Baig from the FIA Cyber Crime Wing, Dr Manizeh Bano from Sahil, Achraf Mohamed Mrabet from UNICEF Pakistan, Sarah Belal from Justice Project Pakistan, and Muhammad Arshad, Director General at the Ministry of Human Rights. Each speaker reflected on the findings and discussed strategies to accelerate child rights reforms and ensure better implementation of existing laws and policies.
The report is expected to play a foundational role in Pakistan’s upcoming UNCRC reporting process and serve as a reference point for future advocacy, budgeting, programming, and accountability efforts centred on children’s rights.
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