Message from President Asif Ali Zardari on Universal
Children’s Day

   

It is heartening to note that Pakistan joins the International Community to celebrate the Universal Children’s Day on 20th November 2008, with firm commitment and determination to accord high priority to safeguard Rights of the Children.  Pakistan had the distinction of being one of the six-initiator countries of the World Summit for Children 1990 with foresight and conviction put together the largest gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.  As a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Pakistan always remained in the forefront to advocate the Child Rights agenda and played a key role at Regional and International levels to protect the Rights of the Child.

 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most affectionate caretaker of children.  He raised the status of children in general and of the female children in particular.  He declared that all children are innocent and we should adopt merciful and sympathetic attitude towards them.  The Government is fully aware of its responsibilities.  In fact it was our leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed who in her two terms as Prime Minister always laid special emphasis on safeguarding the rights of children.  Present government following the footsteps of its leader has adopted the same course. 

 

Since public private partnership is immensely needed, I call upon the voluntary indigenous philanthropy sector, international development partners, the media, the corporate sector, and particularly the children to come forward and play their effective role for not only ending Violence against Children but also make the country a heaven for them all.

 

I also appreciate the UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs for their concerted efforts for continuously advocating and highlighting the child rights and child related issues.  I hope they will continue pursuing this important mission with same zeal and vigor.

 

May God bless us all-Ameen

Pakistan Zindabad

 

 

November 20, 2008