Protection of children living in private shelter homes in Punjab, government monitoring system ineffective. 📌 Key Highlights & Quick Takeaways: Shelter homes are considered a place of safety for hundreds of orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children in Punjab, while many private ins. According to the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB), licenses have been issued to only 14 shelter homes in Punjab so far while more. A total of 5,762 children were living in these institutions, however, despite the passage of four years, the government does not have the la. Shelter homes are considered a place of safety for hundreds of orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children in Punjab, while many private institutions that provide accommodation for children are still outside the effective government monitoring system, due to which the authorities do not have clear and up-to-date information regarding how many children are living in these institutions, in what conditions they are kept and whether their safety is being ensured or not. According to the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB), licenses have been issued to only 14 shelter homes in Punjab so far while more than 50 institutions are unregistered. In a survey conducted by the Bureau in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan in 2021-22, 105 residential institutions were identified in Punjab, including 41 government and 64 private institutions. A total of 5,762 children were living in these institutions, however, despite the passage of four years, the government does not have the latest data regarding these institutions and the children living there. According to the CPWB, applications for registration of four to five more institutions are under consideration. Before issuing the license, the relevant authorities inspect the buildings, staff, available facilities and childcare arrangements, while after the issuance of the license, these institutions are also inspected from time to time. Private shelter homes provide accommodation, food, education and other basic facilities to children at a time when government institutions have limited capacity. Official Wire Source & Legal Disclaimer Read ▼ 📰 Official Source & Legal Provenance: Express News Documented Wire Record Editorial & Legal Notice: Ingested and verified from official journalistic wire (Express News) under applicable press regulations. Full primary documentary sources are permanently archived.