ISLAMABAD: Based on data gathered from 84 national and regional newspapers, a leading child rights group in Pakistan said in a new report that there was a four percent increase in the number of child abuse cases last year, with more than eight children abused every day in Pakistan in 2020.
As there is no mandatory reporting of sexual abuse cases in Pakistan and many parts of the country are remote and literary rates and awareness of laws is minimal, a large number of sexual abuse cases go unreported, Sahil said in a report released on Thursday, implying that the total number of cases in the country could be much higher than the data gathered by the non-profit using newspaper figures.
Around 51% victims out of 2,960 cases of child abuse reported in the media in 2020 were girls while 49 percent were boys.
“The research shows that children are most vulnerable to abuse in the age group [of] 6-15 years,” the report, Cruel Numbers 2020, said, adding that children as young as 0-5 years also suffered sexual abuse.
In 1,780 cases, children were abused by their acquaintances while service providers, such as teachers, shopkeepers and drivers, were involved in 91 such cases.
“A total of 91 cases were family members and relatives, and in 92 cases neighbors were involved,” the report added. “In 468 cases, strangers were involved in abusing children.”
Sahil’s findings revealed that 58 percent cases of child abuse were reported in Punjab, 29 percent in Sindh, seven percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and three percent in Islamabad Capital Territory.
The organization also showed that 65 percent such cases took place in rural areas while 35 percent occurred in urban centers.
While more than eight children were abused every day in Pakistan, about 13 percent of incidents of assault were not even reported to the police in 2020, Sahil said.
Child abuse cases on the rise, leading Pakistani child rights group says
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Child abuse cases on the rise, leading Pakistani child rights group says
- More than eight children were abused every day in Pakistan in 2020
- 2,960 cases of child abuse reported in the media in 2020
Pakistan to play India in T20 World Cup, government says
- Islamabad announced boycotting the Feb. 15 match in Colombo to protest the ICC’s exclusion of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup
- Pakistan’s government says the decision to play India is taken to protect ‘spirit of cricket and to support the continuity of global sport’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cleared the country’s cricket team to play India in the T20 World Cup on Feb. 15, the Pakistani government announced late Monday, ending a week-long standoff.
Islamabad announced boycotting the Feb. 15 match in Colombo to protest the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) exclusion of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, following Dhaka’s decision to not play matches in India owing to security fears.
On Sunday, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja arrived in Lahore for talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam as the sport’s governing body strived to save the high-stakes T20 World Cup encounter.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met PM Sharif late Monday and briefed him regarding the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, Bangladesh board and ICC representatives, the Pakistani government said on X.
“The Government of Pakistan has reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, as well as the supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations. These correspondences sought Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges,” the Pakistani government said.
“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
The BCB earlier thanked the PCB, ICC and all others for their positive roles in trying to “overcome recent challenges,” particularly thanking PCB Chairman Naqvi and Pakistani cricket fans for demonstrating “exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity.”
“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish,” BCB President Islam said in a statement.
“Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem.”
The dispute stemmed from the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland last month after Bangladesh refused to play tournament matches in India. Dhaka’s decision followed the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was bought for $1 million by the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders, but on Jan. 3 the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ordered Kolkata to release Mustafizur without a public explanation but amid regional tensions.
Pakistani cricket authorities subsequently announced boycotting the match against India at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Feb. 15. An India-Pakistan fixture is the sport’s most lucrative asset, generating a massive share of global broadcasting and sponsorship revenue.
“This decision [to play India in T20 World Cup] has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket, and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations,” the Pakistani government said.
“We remain confident that our team will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride onto the field as they compete for global glory.”
