The National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) formally launched its 2024 provincial-level report in Quetta titled
Quetta, August 20, 2025: The National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) formally launched its 2024 provincial-level report in Quetta titled “The Situation Analysis on Children from Minority Religions in Pakistan. The event was attended by Provincial Minister for Education, Ms. Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, and Provincial Advisor on Minority Affairs, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, as chief guests.
The launch ceremony brought together government officials, police representatives, members of the legal fraternity, leaders of minority communities, UN agencies including UNICEF, social activists, and citizens from different walks of life. On this occasion, the contributions of Commission Member Advocate Abdul Hai and the provincial team were also appreciated.
Speakers at the event highlighted that children in Pakistan face numerous challenges, with those belonging to minority religions being among the most vulnerable. Key issues identified included barriers to education, child marriage, child labor, malnutrition, and social discrimination. They stressed the urgent need for both state-led and community-driven initiatives to ensure equal opportunities and protection for minority children.
Addressing the gathering, Parliamentary Affairs Advisor Mr. Sanjay Kumar said the launch of this report was a timely and commendable step, as it not only reflects the ground realities faced by minority children but also guides policymakers toward effective future strategies. He added that without ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, and protection for children from minority communities, Pakistan cannot truly achieve sustainable progress.
During the ceremony, key findings from NCRC’s recently published State of Pakistan’s Children 2024, report were also shared. Officials noted that this is the first comprehensive national analysis conducted under the NCRC Act 2017, aligned with the four pillars of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) survival, development, protection, and participation.
The report revealed that nearly 26 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 remain out of school in Pakistan, while many of those enrolled still lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. Malnutrition continues to affect millions of children, while child labor and early marriages remain prevalent. Minority and differently-abled children are disproportionately affected, often left behind in access to education and basic services.
It further warned of emerging threats such as climate change impacts, online child safety concerns, and policy neglect toward vulnerable groups. However, the report also pointed to positive progress in areas such as child immunization, legal reforms, and growing awareness around digital safety.
Speaking at the event, NCRC Member Advocate Abdul Hai Bangulzai underscored that the Commission’s mission is to protect the rights of every child in Pakistan, with particular focus on the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, including minority children. The true measure of any society’s progress is how it nurtures and safeguards its youngest citizens, he said.
In her remarks, Provincial Education Minister Ms. Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani affirmed the Government of Balochistan’s commitment to fully cooperate with the NCRC in ensuring equal opportunities and quality education for children from minority backgrounds. She emphasized that protecting children’s rights remains a key priority for the provincial government, particularly in a disadvantaged province like Balochistan.
Leaders of minority communities and social activists attending the event also pledged to work in close collaboration with the NCRC to advance child rights and address pressing challenges. They termed the launch of this initiative , a vital step toward securing the future of minority children in Pakistan.
