PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi has approved the establishment of Child Protection Units (CPUs) in five new districts, increasing the total number of these vital units across the province to twenty-four.
This decision is part of a broader effort to improve the welfare and protection of children in the region.
The Chief Minister has sanctioned a significant allocation of Rs. 119.86 million for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission. This includes Rs. 57 million for the establishment of new Child Protection Units under the provincial government’s ‘Good Governance Road Map,’ and Rs. 62.86 million for strengthening existing CPUs, which will include filling all vacant positions within the units.
The new CPUs will be set up in the districts of Mansehra, Shangla, Malakand, Dera Ismail Khan, and Nowshera, ensuring better outreach and service delivery for children in need.
Nazar Hussain Shah, Secretary Social Welfare Department, hailed the move as a landmark achievement for the protection of vulnerable children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He explained that the Child Protection Units serve as the central hub for identifying, registering, rehabilitating, and reintegrating at-risk children. Without such units, he said, the province would struggle to adequately address the issues facing vulnerable children in urgent need of support.
He emphasized that the establishment of these units is not just a priority, but a legal requirement, adding that the government is committed to ensuring every district is covered. The aim is to protect children from all forms of violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
Ijaz Muhammad Khan, Chief of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission, stated that the allocated funds will soon be utilized for the recruitment of staff through the ETEA (Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency). The recruitment process will be merit-based to ensure the new units are fully operational.
Khan explained that the human resources in these units will include Child Protection Officers, Social Case Workers, and Psychologists, forming a complete case management system for at-risk children. Through a strong referral system, these children will receive necessary services from both public and private service delivery organizations.
In addition to addressing individual cases, the Child Protection Units also focus on raising awareness and involving local communities in the protection process.
