LAHORE: Child rights activists and defenders urged political parties to prioritise the noble cause of fulfillment of child rights as guaranteed under United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) especially protection of children from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect by declaring this as their top political priority. This was urged during a media briefing on Pakistan’s Obligations Under International Commitment Towards Children Rights arranged by Search For Justice & Child Rights Movement, Punjab at Lahore Press Club on Thursday. Search For Justice Child Rights Activist & Executive Director Iftikhar Mubarik shared that under article 4 of the UNCRC states parties shall undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognised in the UNCRC. He said that UN Committee on Child Rights in its concluding observations in 2016 recommended Pakistan to take all measures necessary to address its previous recommendations of 2009 which have not been implemented or not sufficiently implemented and including those related to comprehensive policy and strategy, data collection, independent monitoring, dissemination of the convention and training and respect for the views of the child. This is appreciable that the government of Pakistan and other provincial governments has introduced a number of legislation with a view to fulfill child rights related obligations, but concrete actions and political will is needed to ensure child protection, he added. CRM Provincial Coordinator Rashida Qureshi said that this is very encouraging that Pakistan accepted a number of recommendations during Universal Periodic Review in Human Rights Council to improve the child rights situation in the country. She reiterated the demand for establishment of independent commission to oversight and monitoring of child rights related issues in Punjab. Child Human Rights Defender Sameer Haider appealed the largest political parties in Punjab to revisit their elections manifestos and incorporate child protection as theme which will reflect their political commitment with children of Pakistan to address the serious issue of violence against children. Being a Child representative Sameer Haider urged to establish formal forums to capture children views in matters related to children to ensure meaningful participation of children into decision making process. Another child rights activist Miqdad Syed highlighted the need for devising institutional mechanism to ensure effective implementation of laws enacted by government of the Punjab in last 10 years. He particularly highlighted the needs to increase in resource allocation with child rights and child protection perspective to ensure that government is able to meet its international, regional, national and provincial obligations. He also pointed out that the child protection issues with regard to children with disabilities are required more serious actions to address that very sensitive issue. Advocate Ahmer Majeed also stressed the need for inclusion of Child Protection in Elections Manifestos of Political Parties so they could be held accountable in coming years, on the basis of their performance to improve child protection situation in country. Published in Daily Times, July 13th 2018.