Punjab proposes mandatory sex offender verification in all educational institutions

LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq): The Prosecutor General of Punjab has proposed a mandatory sex-offender verification system for all appointments in educational institutions to strengthen child protection measures across the province.

Prosecutor General Punjab Syed Farhad Ali Shah has sent a two-page formal proposal to the Secretary of Prosecution, recommending that all faculty and staff be screened through NADRA’s Sex Offenders Register before being hired by any educational institution—public or private.

According to the letter, the current hiring system contains significant gaps, as existing background checks do not reveal an applicant’s previous record of sexual crimes. The Prosecutor General warned that hiring individuals with a history of sexual offences poses a serious threat to the safety of entire educational institutions.

He emphasised that NADRA’s Sex Offenders Register is an effective tool for safeguarding children, and access should be granted to the relevant departments through a proper legal mechanism. He also urged that verification through the register be made compulsory for all future recruitments as well as for screening existing employees.

The letter further states that mandatory sex-offender verification would help close loopholes in the current system and ensure stronger protection for children studying in Punjab’s schools, colleges, and universities.