Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday urged parents to remain vigilant and avoid leaving their children unattended, stressing that ensuring children’s safety begins at home.
Her remarks came in the wake of two tragic incidents in Punjab: the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Sargodha and the roof collapse at a private tuition centre in Lahore that claimed the lives of 14 children.
Addressing the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee in a televised speech, the chief minister said the Sargodha incident was deeply disturbing, recalling that the child had gone alone to a nearby shop where she was allegedly murdered by the shopkeeper, who later concealed her body.
Maryam Nawaz said a bloodstain on the girl’s slipper played a crucial role in identifying the suspect. She added that she took immediate notice of the incident and directed authorities to arrest the accused without delay.
The chief minister said the government could provide transport, healthcare and other public services, but added that true safety also depends on protection within homes and communities.
She noted that while the government can strengthen deterrence through law enforcement, parents also carry a major responsibility, particularly in how children are raised and supervised.
Appealing directly to parents, Maryam Nawaz urged them not to send young children out alone, especially to crowded public places where they may be vulnerable.
“If possible, parents should handle such tasks themselves instead of exposing children to danger,” she said, warning that predators can be present within neighborhoods and public spaces.
Referring to the Lahore tuition centre tragedy, the chief minister said the incident caused deep sorrow and left her questioning what more could have been done to prevent the loss of innocent lives.
She said negligence by the tuition centre contributed to the tragedy, but also urged parents to carefully assess the safety of schools, madressahs and tuition centres before sending their children there.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that preventing such tragedies requires collective responsibility and called on society to play an active role in protecting children and addressing social challenges.