Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 7 February 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 February 2022. It was answered by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 February 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Pakistan: Children

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of Pakistan's progress in meeting goal 16.2 of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Answer: Pakistan has taken many significant steps to tackle abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The National Child Labour Survey, establishment of Pakistan's first Child Protection Institute, the setting of 18 as a minimum age for domestic employment in the Islamabad Capital Territory, and promulgation of the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act 2019 for the speedy recovery of kidnapped children, are steps in the right direction. However, serious challenges remain. Child labour - common in the textile, agricultural and waste sectors - remains prevalent. The UK also remains concerned about cases of child rape, violence and forced marriage. In order to end these harmful practices, the FCDO-funded Aawaz II programme advocates for legislation on child marriage, and supports Pakistan in its efforts to reform child rights legislation, and to establish child protection referral and case management systems.

Secondary information