PESHAWAR: Child rights activists have expressed concern over the non-implementation of the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance (JJSO) despite its promulgation 14 years ago.

The JJSO was a landmark legislation on juvenile justice in Pakistan promulgated by the then chief executive on July 1, 2000.

However, the law could not be implemented in letter and spirit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to various reasons, including absence of necessary budgetary allocations, probation officers and juvenile courts, said a press release issued by the NGO, Child Rights Movement, here on Tuesday.

The release said that the JJSO was a progressive law and that a few steps by the government could help implement the law in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in letter and spirit.

It said that the CRM had written letters to the ministry of law, justice and human rights, secretary capital administration and development division (CADD), Islamabad, registrar Islamabad High Court, district and sessions judge, Islamabad and director general human rights, ministry of law, justice and humanrights, urging them to take steps for implementation of the JJSO at the federal capital level.

The NGO also urged the provincial government to allocate funds for implementation of JJSO in the province.

Under JJSO every child who comes in contact with the law is entitled to free legal aid at the state`s expense, but due to no budgetary allocation for the purpose has resulted in no child getting benefit of the legal provision.

The press release noted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on September 10, 2012 passed the Borstal Institution Act, 2012, taking over a decade for the purpose, which was a requirement under the JJSO, 2000.

The CRM urged the provincial government to take necessary steps for setting up exclusive juvenile courts and designated juvenile judges, establishing borstal institutions and holding consultation on amendments as well as clarity on different points.

The NGO also asked the KP government to strengthen the probation department in terms of resources and capacity.

It also called for increased cooperation and coordination among police, probation, prison departments and judiclary while developing a database for planning and research purposes.