The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) has completed an in-camera briefing into the alleged harassment of a girl at Westminster School in Rawalpindi.
The girl’s parents met NCRC Chairperson Ayesha Raza Farooq and briefed her about the incident. The commission heard the parents and school administration separately due to the high-profile nature of the case.
School Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raheel Sajjad said that incidents involving children will not be tolerated and called for a transparent investigation into the matter.
Farooq said that the NCRC had received a complaint regarding the school and had heard the positions of both sides. She said that the commission will complete its inquiry and submit a report to the relevant authorities.
The NCRC chairperson clarified that deciding punishment did not fall within the commission’s mandate and said its recommendations will be forwarded to the relevant institutions for action under the law.
She added that the commission was also reviewing the country’s child protection system and relevant laws while maintaining contact with schools in Islamabad.
According to Farooq, the school administration presented CCTV footage before the commission along with other documents. She mentioned that the relevant institution will decide the matter in accordance with the law.
Farooq also expressed concern over the reported increase in incidents involving children and said that the concerns raised by the girl’s parents should be addressed immediately.
She added that the parents had been heard in detail and that the commission will conduct further investigation into the matter.
