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KARACHI, Nov 04 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, during a meeting with a delegation of Punjab parliamentarians organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said his government has led the way in rights-based legislation in Pakistan and continues to enhance the implementation of these laws through coordinated efforts with government departments and development partners.
The meeting focused on women and child protection laws and Sindh’s pioneering legislative framework designed to safeguard vulnerable segments of society, particularly women and children.
The meeting, held at CM House was attended by provincial Ministers Saeed Ghani, Shahina Sher Ali, Tariq Talpur, Special Assistant on Minorities Rajvir Sigh, Secretary Home Iqbal Memon, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, Secretary Law Ahmad Ali Baloch, and others.
Parliamentarians from Punjab included Ali Gilani, Ahmer Bhattai, Rana Muhammad Arshad, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Muhammad Awais Dareshak, Shahbaz Ahmad, Sarah Ahmad, Ishrat Ashraf, PDU’s Attaullah Awais, Asfa, Sulatan Daud, Usama Khawar, PDU, UNFPA Deputy Representative, and others.
The chief minister briefed the delegation on Sindh’s comprehensive legal and institutional measures aimed at promoting gender equality, protecting minors from exploitation, and empowering women socially and economically. He emphasised that Sindh has remained at the forefront of rights-based legislation in Pakistan and continues to strengthen law enforcement through coordinated efforts with government departments and development partners.
During the meeting, the CM outlined key legislation enacted by the Sindh government over the past decade. He added that the Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011, establishes a formal institutional mechanism for the protection and welfare of children in need of special care.
Sindh’s Child Marriages Restraint Act, 2013, prohibits and penalises child marriages, especially to safeguard young girls from early and forced unions, Murad Shah said. He added that the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013, protects women, children, and vulnerable persons from all forms of domestic violence, ensuring mechanisms for reporting, protection, and justice.
The Sindh Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2015, establishes a statutory body to promote women’s political, economic, and social rights and monitor the government’s compliance with national and international gender equality commitments.
The chief minister noted that the Women Agricultural Workers Act, 2019, recognises women engaged in agriculture as formal workers entitled to fair wages, decent working conditions, and access to social protection schemes.
The discussion between the chief minister and Punjab parliamentarians covered in detail the issues related to Hindu marriages. Sindh’s chief minister stated that his government passed the Sindh Hindus Marriage Act, 2016, which provides a legal framework for marriage registration within the Hindu community, ensuring the protection of family and inheritance rights for minority women.
Chief Minister Murad Shah highlighted that these legislations collectively reflect Sindh’s vision for a progressive, inclusive, and equitable society. He stressed that the province’s focus extends beyond lawmaking to include effective implementation through awareness campaigns, capacity building, and collaborations with civil society and UN agencies.
The visiting delegation appreciated Sindh’s progressive steps in protecting women and children, noting that several of these laws could serve as models for adoption in other provinces.
Representatives from UNFPA praised Sindh’s commitment to advancing gender justice and human rights, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 on gender equality.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen inter-provincial collaboration on human rights legislation and to continue partnerships with UNFPA for policy dialogue, technical support, and institutional capacity building.