KHUDAYAR MOHLA

ISLAMABAD: Expressing resolve to enforce child rights protection mechanism in the country, the federal government informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that an amendment in the Pakistan Penal Code was made last year whereas the ICT Child Protection Bill would be tabled in the Parliament soon.

A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar resumed hearing in a suo motu notice taken over torture to minor maid Tayyaba. A case has been registered against incumbent Additional District and Sessions Judge Islamabad, Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife Maheen Zafar who are accused of detaining Tayyaba in confinement and torture.

Appearing before the bench Additional Attorney General for Pakistan Waqar Rana apprised the court that Cabinet Committee on Disposal of Legislative Cases has recently passed the ICT Child Protection Bill which would be tabled in the parliament soon.

To which Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar directed Rana to share copy of the bill with parties of the case, observing that Domestic Workers (Employment Rights) Act had also been introduced in Senate during 2013 which still remains in limbo.

Waqar Rana submitted that the government is engaged in the consultative process with stakeholders over the Bill, saying after which the same would be presented before the court.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarked that without adherence to the constitutional provisions relating to free education for children, societal menace could not be abolished so every child of the country should be given opportunity to get education.

During the course of proceedings, Advocate General Islamabad Mian Abdur Rauaf apprised the bench that matter relating to Tayyaba torture case has been referred to Islamabad High Court for adjudication. He further informed the bench that Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the accused persons for appearance before the court on April 27.

Later, issuing directives to additional attorney general to share final draft of the Bill with all stakeholders and inform the court about their comments after a week, the court adjourned the hearing.