Pakistan welcomes the UN decision to remove references in the report on children’s conflict

Pakistan on Friday greeted a decision from the United Nations Secretary -General to remove referrals to the country in the annual report on children and armed conflict and called it a recognition of Islamabad’s efforts to protect children’s rights.

In a statement from the Foreign Office on Friday, Pakistan called the development a “significant result” and a testimony to its “constructive, sustained and intense commitment” with the United Nations, especially the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary of Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC).

UN’s children and armed conflict (CAAC) Agenda monitors six serious violations against children in conflict zones: killing and mutilation, recruiting and using children, sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools and hospitals and denial of humanitarian access.

The report published on June 17, recognized the agreement between Pakistan and the United Nations on a child protection card, formalized in June 2025, and called for its effective implementation.

While noting progress, the UN Secretary -General expressed concerns about reports of serious violations, including attacks on schools – especially girls schools – health workers and events along the Afghan border.

However, he added that in view of Pakistan’s cooperation and preventive measures adopted under the agreement, the country would not be listed in the next annual report.

“Given the level of serious violations in Pakistan and the preventive measures adopted by the government in June 2025 in collaboration with the United Nations to protect children, Pakistan’s situation will be removed from my next report,” noted the Secretary General.

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FO said the decision reflects international recognition of Pakistan’s legislative, institutional and political measures to protect and promote children’s rights and well -being while confirming the country’s obligation to adapt national framework with international norms and best practices in child protection.

Pakistan, added it, remains obliged to close cooperation with the UN to ensure a more secure and brighter future for children.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar greeted in a statement of X also the UN Secretary General’s decision and called it “a reflection of our sustained, constructive commitment and Pakistan’s unwavering obligation to child protection.”

He added, “It also marks considerable recognition of Pakistan’s national efforts to maintain children’s rights and secure their well -being. Pakistan remains obliged to cooperate with the United Nations and international partners to ensure a more secure, more hopeful future for all children.

Report reveals serious offenses against children

According to the United Nations report, violence against children in armed conflicts rose to registration levels by 2024 with a 25% increase in serious violations compared to the previous year.

The report, which was prepared after consultations and in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2427 (2018), covers the period from January to December 2024. It outlines trends in the impact of armed conflicts on children and includes a list of parties involved in violations such as recruitment and use, murder and attenuation, sexual violence, abduction Hospitals.

The UN confirmed 41,370 graves, including 36,221, which took place in 2024 and 5,149 from previous years verified during the reporting period. At least 22,495 children were affected.

Among the most widespread violations were the killing and attenuation of children, with 4,676 children killed and 7,291 injured. Other serious violations included 7,906 incidents with denied humanitarian access, 7,402 cases of recruitment and use of children and 4,573 abductions.

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The report also noted that 3,018 children were detained in 2024, often for alleged or actual ties to armed groups – including those sanctioned by the UN Security Council – or on national security reasons, raising serious concerns about violations of their rights.

The highest number of violations was registered in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (8,554), followed by the Democratic Republic Congo (4,043), Somalia (2,568), Nigeria (2,436) and Haiti (2,269). The largest percentage increases occurred in Lebanon (545%), Mozambique (525%), Haiti (490%), Ethiopia (235%) and Ukraine (105%).

Sexual violence against children increased by 35%, including a sharp increase in the case of rape. The report described sexual violence as being used consciously as a war’s tactics – to terrorize populations, claim control over territory, displace society or target children based on ethnicity or gender.

Refusal of humanitarian access also reached unprecedented level in 2024. The report said more humanitarian workers, including UN staff, were killed last year than ever before. Auxiliary convoys and staff were attacked, humanitarian workers were arbitrarily detained, and several bureaucratic and administrative barriers were imposed, which severely disturbed operations.

These actions left countless children without access to healthcare, education, protection services or life -saving humanitarian assistance, the report said.

The report has called on all parties to maintain their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, and to respect the rights and special protections assigned to children.