Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Punjab is ensuring the protection of children’s rights by establishing the first Virtual Child Safety Station.

She stated in a message on the World Day Against Child Labour, “The Punjab government is taking effective measures against child labour. Children are being freed from forced labour and driven towards attaining education.”

According to a statement, a team of experts in the virtual centre is tasked with carrying out search operations for missing children, getting in touch with their families and verifying their credentials. The centre has proven effective in bringing back home not only missing children but also elderly people. A helpline has been activated for missing children and citizens of other provinces as well.

At least 59,635 people have so far contacted the Virtual Safety Centre to complain about missing persons, of which 53,542 cases have been resolved.

The chief minister highlighted, “Whether children belong to Punjab or any other province, they are all dear to us.” She maintained, “In case of disappearance, we are determined to fulfill our responsibility of bringing every child home safe and sound. Every citizen of the country can benefit from Pakistan’s first Virtual Centre for Child Safety.” She outlined, “We are ready to utilise all available state resources for the safe return of missing children.”

On the other hand, only 37 per cent of the total 895 cases of child labour reported across the country in 2024 resulted in convictions. This was revealed in the Sustainable Social Development Organisation’s (SSDO) annual report.

Punjab reported the highest number of cases at 450, followed closely by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with 426. In contrast, Sindh and Balochistan showed alarmingly low reporting rates.

SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas said that child labour is not just a legal violation but a moral crisis that endangers the very fabric of the society. He said child labour is a crime that extinguishes the hopes and potential of future generations. “It is a stain on our conscience and we cannot move forward as a nation while allowing our children to be trapped in cycles of exploitation.”

He emphasised the urgent need for the government to strengthen child protection institutions and implement a cohesive national strategy to address the root causes of child labour.

“We need a coordinated, inter-provincial policy framework, backed by modern technology to identify risks early and ensure timely intervention,” he added. He also called for greater investment in education and social welfare to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow in a safe and nurturing environment.

Meanwhile, the Dolphin Squad rescued a teenage girl who had been kidnapped from Ravi Road and arrested the suspected abductor.

According to a spokesperson, an operation was conducted in the Kot Kamboh area, where the squad rescued the girl and apprehended the suspect.

According to the police, the girl had been kidnapped on May 23 by 25-year-old Junaid from Sham Pura. The kidnapping case was registered at Ravi Road police station.

“The Dolphin Squad conducted a targeted operation based on intelligence reports and traced the victim to Kot Kamboh,” said the spokesperson.

The team informed the girl’s parents about her recovery and transferred her to Nawan Kot police station for legal proceedings regarding the case.

The arrested suspect will be presented before a magistrate and the investigation is ongoing.