PESHAWAR — The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the establishment of five new Child Protection Units (CPUs) to strengthen child welfare services across the province. The decision, endorsed by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, includes an allocation of Rs 119.86 million for expanding and strengthening child protection mechanisms.

According to an official statement, Rs 57 million has been earmarked for setting up new Child Protection Units under the provincial government’s Good Governance Road Map, while Rs 62.86 million will be used to strengthen existing units, including filling vacant posts. With the addition of new facilities in Mansehra, Shangla, Malakand, Dera Ismail Khan and Nowshera, the total number of CPUs in the province will increase to 24.

Officials said the units operate under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission and serve as focal points for the identification, registration, rehabilitation and reintegration of children at risk. They are mandated under provincial law to provide services for vulnerable children, including those facing abuse, exploitation, violence or neglect.

Nazar Hussain Shah, Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, described the move as an important step toward expanding access to protection services. He said the goal is to establish Child Protection Units in all districts to ensure coverage across the province.

Ijaz Muhammad Khan, Chief of the Child Protection and Welfare Commission, said the recruitment process for new staff will be initiated through the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) to ensure merit-based hiring. Each unit is expected to include a Child Protection Officer, Social Case Worker and Psychologist to manage cases and coordinate referrals with public and private service providers.

In addition to handling individual cases, the units will conduct community awareness initiatives and form Community-Based Child Protection Committees at the local level. Officials said the facilities also provide legal aid to children involved in court proceedings.

The provincial government stated that further steps will be taken to expand coverage to remaining districts in line with legal requirements and policy commitments aimed at safeguarding children’s rights.