TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF CHILD PROTECTION: SHARIAH, PAKISTANI LAW, AND INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Child abuse remains one of the most persistent and devastating challenges in Pakistan. Despite a growing legal framework, incidents of abuse continue to rise due to cultural taboos, weak enforcement, and lack of awareness. This article expands upon doctoral research to present a detailed analysis of child abuse in Pakistan. It explores the Shariah perspective through Qur’anic injunctions, Hadith, and classical juristic thought; empirical findings from a survey in Sargodha Division; and critical comparative analysis of Pakistani law with Egypt’s hybrid system and Western child protection models. A literature review of Pakistani, Islamic, and international scholarship is also provided. The article concludes with remedies, including restorative justice, psycho-legal strategies, and policy reforms. It argues for an integrated model of child protection that unites Shariah principles, Pakistani law, and international best practices to safeguard children’s dignity and future.

Keywords: Child abuse, Shariah, Pakistan, child protection, comparative law, restorative justice, legal reform, international perspectives