Islamabad, 20 November 2023 (TDI): Pakistan today joins the world in celebrating World Children’s Day. World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Celebrating the day, UNICEF Pakistan appointed Taqwa Ahmad, aged 16, as UNICEF’s first-ever youth advocate in Pakistan. Taqwa Ahmad is a Social Activist, motivational speaker, and Author from Gujranwala, Pakistan.
President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, met with a delegation of children nominated by UNICEF in connection with International Children’s Day at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.
The delegation of children meeting with the President were representatives from all four provinces of Pakistan along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation was led by 16-year-old Taqwa Ahmad, a newly appointed Youth advocate in Pakistan.
The delegation of children told the President about their hopes and expectations for the future, they also highlighted various problems and challenges faced by children.
The children emphasized the need for measures to provide a conducive environment for growth and flourishing in life.
In response, President Alvi remarked that Pakistan is determined to take steps for children’s rights and welfare. He also added that equipping special children with skills will help them gain employment.
During the delegation’s meeting with the President, the Children asked him about climate change, girl child education, special children, and other challenges faced by children in Pakistan. Children also expressed their own experiences with the President during their interaction.
During their engagement with the President, the children also attended a hearing conducted by the President in a case related to the banking sector.
On Universal Children’s Day, the President released a statement in which he called upon the relevant government organizations, civil society, human rights groups, media, UN agencies, community, parents, teachers, Ulema, and children themselves to come together.
He urged everyone to play their role in a national effort to improve the lives of children in Pakistan.
