SC Seeks Recommendations From Punjab Govt To Curb Child Abduction

LAHORE, Jan 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 09th Jan, 2017 ) : The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday sought recommendations from the Punjab government, civil society and others to curb the menace of child abduction.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Umar Ata Bandial passed the directions while hearing a suo motu against increasing incidents of child abduction in Punjab. The bench heard the matter at Supreme Court Lahore Registry.

During the hearing, a report was submitted on behalf of the Child Protection Bureau wherein recommendations were forwarded to check kidnapping incidents. The bench was also briefed about the facilities being provided to children at the bureau through the report.

The bench appreciated the report and made the report part of the record. At this stage, the bench observed that the fear was prevalent in society. The apex court took suo motu notice of the issue and observed all measures would be adopted to take it to its logical end.

Asma Jehnagir submitted that it had been proved that the element of vital body organs' sale behind the incidents was not true. She said that gangs were involved in the kidnapping and sale of children and it was mandatory to bust them.

The bench observed that there were reports that some parents also sold their children. The bench added that such incidents were taking place in less developed areas due to poverty. education and awareness were required to end this attitude, it added.

The bench, adjourning further hearing, sought recommendations. Meanwhile, the bench also ordered police authorities concerned to complete investigations in five child kidnapping cases and try to recover the children in one month. The Supreme Court took suo motu notice after the media reported that 600 children were kidnapped from Punjab in July, 2016. APP/syh/rsd/ati