The Punjab government has taken a major step to protect vulnerable, orphaned, and neglected children, approving a bill that introduces tougher penalties and stronger legal mechanisms to combat child abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The Standing Committee on Home Affairs of the Punjab Assembly has approved the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at strengthening the legal framework for child protection across the province.
According to the bill’s text, the amendment seeks to make the enforcement and penalties system more transparent and effective, ensuring stricter punishment for those found guilty of child mistreatment.
The bill proposes major revisions to several sections including Sections 34, 36, 36A, 36B, 37, and 38 — while removing sub-clause (4) of Section 6 from the existing 2004 law. It also replaces certain conjunctions in the legal language, adding the phrase “or with both” to allow broader interpretation and flexibility in judgments.
Lawmakers said the amendments reflect modern social and legal requirements and are designed to bring Punjab’s child protection framework in line with current humanitarian and justice standards.
The revised law aims to provide a more comprehensive and responsive legal mechanism for safeguarding children’s rights, improving the performance of child welfare institutions, and ensuring swift action in abuse and neglect cases.
Committee members noted that the bill, once formally passed by the Punjab Assembly, will become effective immediately and is expected to strengthen social justice and law enforcement measures protecting children across the province.
They emphasized that the new legislation represents a stronger commitment to human rights, ensuring that no child in Punjab remains unprotected from violence, exploitation, or abandonment.
