CM Maryam urges parents to ensure children's safety
Punjab Chief Minister has appealed to parents to remain vigilant and never leave young children unattended, saying that protecting children begins at home. Her appeal follows two tragic incidents in Punjab that have shocked the public.
Speaking in a televised address to the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee, the chief minister referred to the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Sargodha and the roof collapse at a private tuition centre in Lahore, which claimed the lives of 14 children.
Maryam Nawaz described the Sargodha incident as heartbreaking. She said the young girl had gone alone to a nearby shop, where she was allegedly murdered by the shopkeeper, who later tried to conceal her body.
She said investigators identified the suspect after discovering a bloodstain on the girl’s slipper. The chief minister added that she immediately took notice of the incident and directed the authorities to arrest the accused without delay.
Maryam Nawaz said the government can provide transport, healthcare, and other public services, but children’s safety also depends on parents, families, and communities. She stressed that law enforcement can help prevent crime, but parents also have a vital responsibility to supervise and protect their children.
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Appealing directly to parents, she urged them not to send young children out alone, especially to crowded public places where they may be vulnerable. She advised parents to handle such errands themselves whenever possible instead of exposing children to unnecessary risks.
The chief minister also expressed deep sorrow over the Lahore tuition centre tragedy. She said the incident raised serious concerns about safety standards and highlighted the urgent need for greater care.
She said negligence by the tuition centre contributed to the tragedy, but also urged parents to carefully assess the safety of schools, madressahs, and tuition centres before sending their children there.
Maryam Nawaz said preventing such heartbreaking incidents is a shared responsibility. She called on parents, educational institutions, communities, and government departments to work together to ensure the safety and protection of every child.
