Chitral: In a collaborative effort to address the pressing issues faced by juveniles within Pakistan’s justice system, an extensive roundtable discussion was held at the University of Chitral. The event, organized in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire and the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), brought together academics, parliamentarians, and representatives from civil society organizations to focus on the right to education for incarcerated children.
Participants highlighted that incarcerated juveniles in Pakistan, numbering between 1,700 to 2,000, remain significantly underserved, with nearly 89 percent awaiting trial. The discussion emphasized that many of these children hail from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and lack access to necessary legal aid or educational opportunities.
The roundtable was facilitated by prominent figures such as Professor Adeela Ahmed Shafi from the University of Gloucestershire, Prof. Dr. Hazir Ullah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Chitral, and Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director of SSDO. Dr. Nikhat Shakeel, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, reiterated the commitment to prioritize child protection, pledging to review and push for reforms in juvenile justice policies.
Key topics of discussion included comprehensive reforms and the need for inclusive education initiatives to aid in the rehabilitation of juveniles. The Vice Chancellor underscored the University of Chitral’s dedication to supporting these rehabilitation efforts.
The session also explored the minimum age of criminal responsibility, noting its variance internationally and discussing the principle of “Doli Incapax,” which denotes a child’s incapacity for criminal intent. Participants agreed that a lower age of criminal responsibility necessitates greater state responsibility to ensure education and rehabilitation for affected children.
The roundtable concluded with a pledge to develop actionable strategies and collaborative frameworks aimed at promoting the rights and rehabilitation of incarcerated juveniles. Participants committed to forming a working group to implement recommendations and drive evidence-based advocacy and policy reform.