IHC Questions Delay in Zainab Child Protection Law Action

The Islamabad High Court has sought detailed answers from federal authorities over the delayed implementation of key parts of the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act, 2020. The matter came before the court in Islamabad during the hearing of a petition concerning child protection mechanisms and the state’s legal duty to respond swiftly to cases involving missing, abducted or abused children.

The proceedings gained urgency after the Islamabad Capital Territory administration submitted figures showing that 562 criminal cases linked to missing children and child abuse were registered in the federal capital between 2022 and 2025. The court was informed that, despite the law being passed more than five years ago, several operational components required to make the system fully functional remain unresolved.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir examined the purpose of the legislation and noted that the law was designed to protect children from violence, abuse, neglect, abduction and exploitation. The court also linked the statute to Pakistan’s wider commitments under international child rights obligations, making clear that enforcement cannot remain confined to paper promises.

The court directed the Ministry of Human Rights to submit a comprehensive report covering multiple areas of concern. These include whether the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Agency has been properly established, whether standard operating procedures exist for issuing alerts, whether a technological database has been developed and whether law enforcement agencies are sharing real-time information.

Another major concern raised during the hearing was accountability. The court sought details on whether any action had been taken against officials accused of negligence under the law, and whether the necessary rules had been framed to support implementation. Sources cited in the proceedings indicated that the rules have still not been formally notified.

The Islamabad High Court also asked for information about legal aid for victims, the status of the ICT Child Protection Advisory Board and the integration of Zainab Alert data with the capital police. It further demanded a centralised record of cases tried under the law, including pending prosecutions, completed trials and the average time taken to conclude proceedings.

The Zainab Alert law was introduced after repeated public concern over crimes against children and the failure of authorities to respond quickly in high-risk cases. Its purpose was to create a rapid alert and recovery mechanism, supported by coordination among police, welfare agencies, prosecution departments and child protection bodies.

For Pakistan, the case carries wider significance because child safety remains a deeply sensitive public issue. Weak implementation of protection laws can delay rescue efforts, weaken prosecutions and erode public confidence in institutions tasked with safeguarding minors. A functional alert system could improve emergency response and help families receive faster institutional support.

The court has directed the Ministry of Human Rights to send an officer fully familiar with the matter, while the director general of the relevant authority, if operational, has been ordered to appear in person. The ICT Police has also been asked to respond, and the case has been adjourned until July 1, when the court is expected to review whether the law has moved closer to practical enforcement.