Maryam Nawaz Calls for Collective Responsibility After Child Tragedies
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday urged parents to remain vigilant and avoid leaving young children unattended, emphasizing that child safety begins at home and requires collective responsibility. Her remarks followed two recent incidents in Punjab: the alleged rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Sargodha and the roof collapse at a private tuition centre in Lahore that claimed the lives of 14 children.
Details of the Sargodha Incident
Addressing the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee in a televised speech, the chief minister described the Sargodha incident as deeply disturbing. She said the child had gone alone to a nearby shop, where she was allegedly killed by the shopkeeper, who later concealed her body. A bloodstain found on the girl's slipper helped investigators identify the suspect. Maryam added that she had taken immediate notice of the case and directed law enforcement authorities to arrest the accused without delay.
Government and Parent Roles in Child Safety
The chief minister said the government could provide transport, healthcare and other public services, but stressed that children's safety also depended on protection within homes and communities. She stated that while the state could strengthen deterrence through effective law enforcement, parents also had a key role in ensuring the safety and supervision of their children. Appealing directly to parents, Maryam urged them not to send young children out alone, particularly to crowded public places where they could be at risk. "If possible, parents should carry out such errands themselves instead of exposing children to danger," she said, adding that potential offenders could be present even within neighbourhoods.
Lahore Tuition Centre Roof Collapse
Referring to the Lahore tuition centre roof collapse, the chief minister said the tragedy had caused profound grief and raised questions about whether more could have been done to prevent the loss of innocent lives. She said negligence on the part of the tuition centre had contributed to the incident, while also urging parents to carefully assess the safety standards of schools, madressahs and tuition centres before enrolling their children.
Call for Collective Effort
Maryam said preventing such incidents required a collective effort and called on all sections of society to play an active role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children.
