Punjab Minister Inaugurates Child Protection Institute in Sargodha

By Muhammad Shahzad
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE — On the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bherth, along with Chairperson Child Protection Bureau Sarah Ahmad, formally inaugurated the Child Protection Institute Sargodha, marking a key step in strengthening child welfare services in the province.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sarah Ahmad said the institute has been launched with the full support and vision of the chief minister and will provide residential facilities, legal assistance and psychological counselling to destitute, abandoned and abused children. She said the facility has the capacity to accommodate 100 children.
She further announced that public awareness campaigns would be launched in Sargodha to promote child rights and welfare, adding that the scope of the Child Protection Bureau is being expanded to all districts of Punjab. Expressing gratitude, she thanked Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for approving Punjab’s first-ever Child Protection Policy, and acknowledged the support of the Chief Secretary Punjab, Secretary Home Punjab and other departments in establishing Child Protection Bureau offices across the province.
Following the inauguration, Sarah Ahmad and Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bherth visited various sections of the institute, where children presented a tableau performance. The minister and the chairperson interacted with the children and marked the occasion by cutting a cake together.
Addressing the gathering, Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bherth praised the efforts of Sarah Ahmad and commended the establishment of the Child Protection Institute in Sargodha. He said the Child Protection Bureau has emerged as an effective institution for safeguarding children across Punjab and, under Sarah Ahmad’s leadership, has taken significant steps to protect child rights and promote child welfare.
The minister reiterated that the Punjab government is providing full support and necessary resources to strengthen the child protection system. “Ensuring a safe, peaceful and dignified environment for children is a top priority of the provincial government,” he said, adding that the rehabilitation and protection of children who are victims of abuse, exploitation and violence are being ensured through the Child Protection Bureau.
The ceremony was attended by Members of the Provincial Assembly Mahwish Sultana and Safdar Hussain Sahi, child rights activist Raees Nabeel, Iftikhar Mubarak, Deputy Commissioner Sargodha, Additional Secretary Home Asma Ejaz, Director General Child Protection Bureau Rao Nadeem Akhtar, Director Program Waqar Azeem, and representatives of various government departments.