More than 50 private shelter homes in Punjab remain unregistered with the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB), raising concerns about the safety and welfare of vulnerable children living in residential care.

According to a report published by The Express Tribune on October 24, only 14 shelter homes have been licensed by the CPWB. A mapping study conducted with UNICEF Pakistan in 2021–22 identified 105 residential care institutions across Punjab, housing 5,762 children. However, the province still lacks updated data on these facilities and their residents.

The recent death of 15-year-old Waseem Abbas in Multan has renewed concerns about child protection. The teenager, who lived at an NGO-run orphanage, was allegedly chased and run over by a contractor after being sent to learn electrical work. The CPWB rejected the orphanage’s registration application, citing concerns about child protection and supervision arrangements.

Child rights experts have called for mandatory registration, regular inspections, and consistent standards for accommodation, food, education, and healthcare.

The report also noted that only six of Punjab’s 25 Child Protection Units were functional, highlighting gaps in the province’s child protection system.