Islamabad, In a significant step toward the protection and promotion of children’s rights in Pakistan, the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) has convened the inaugural meeting of the “Working Group of Religious Scholars on Child Rights.” This working group aims to draw upon the expertise of religious scholars to address issues related to children’s rights, emphasizing the convergence of religious teachings with the cause.

According to a news release by the Press International Department, an independent statutory body established under the National Commission on the Rights of Child Act, 2017, the meeting centered on how religious teachings can complement the advocacy for children’s rights. Scholars at the meeting provided insights on the powerful role of religious education in bolstering the rights of children. In their deliberations, they proposed a series of strategies, including reforming school curricula to embed child rights education from a young age, launching awareness campaigns targeting parents, children, and broader communities, enhancing teachers’ capacity to convey child rights and protection messages, and harnessing mosques and madrassah networks to further spread messages about child protection and the significance of children’s rights.

This collaborative initiative between the NCRC and the religious scholars underscores a shared commitment to ensuring a safer, more informed environment for Pakistan’s children. The scholars pledged their unwavering support for the NCRC’s mission, emphasizing their role in raising awareness, educating communities, and aligning religious teachings with the overarching principles of child rights.