Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah chairs meeting with UNICEF delegation: Reaffirms strong commitment to child welfare, education, and protection
Islamabad (GNP): A UNICEF delegation called on the Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, at Parliament House. The meeting focused on child rights, education, health, and protection.
Deputy Speaker welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed that the well-being, protection, and future of children remain a top national priority. He noted that children form a significant part of Pakistan’s population and stressed that national progress is closely linked with investments in their education, health, and development.
Highlighting key challenges, Deputy Speaker said millions of children still face barriers in accessing quality education, healthcare, and nutrition. He called for ensuring that every child is in school, protected from violence and exploitation, and provided with essential services.
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He also noted progress in polio eradication efforts, crediting sustained vaccination campaigns and strong institutional coordination, while stressing the need for continued vigilance. He further highlighted childhood lead exposure as a serious public health concern, noting its irreversible effects on cognitive development and long-term health and economic outcomes. He emphasized the need to address sources of exposure, including industrial emissions, informal recycling, lead-based paints, and contaminated consumer products.
UNICEF backs Pakistan’s child welfare, polio efforts:
UNICEF delegation appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in improving child welfare, particularly in immunization and polio eradication. They emphasized continued investment in education, nutrition, child protection, and environmental health, and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to support Pakistan through technical assistance and field-level interventions.
Deputy Speaker appreciated UNICEF’s continued support and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to strengthening legislation, oversight, and coordination to ensure better outcomes for children.
Convener Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR), MNA Dr. Nikhat Shakeel, also joined the meeting virtually and appreciated UNICEF’s engagement in advancing child rights, reaffirming the Caucus’s commitment to strengthening related legislative and policy efforts.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and UNICEF for the protection, education, and well-being of children.
