Telenor Pakistan and UNICEF marked the close of their three-year collaboration (2022–2025) with a ceremony in Islamabad dedicated to advancing child online protection. The event gathered representatives from government bodies, civil society, diplomatic missions, academia, private sector partners, and youth to celebrate progress and reaffirm national commitment to digital child safety.
Delegates from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, National Commission on the Rights of Child, and the National Cyber Security Emergency Response Team (NCERT) joined the ceremony, underscoring the partnership’s whole-of-system approach. Children and young people took center stage through creative performances and youth-led messages promoting responsible and inclusive digital citizenship. The launch of the Child Online Protection Anthem by the NCRC Child Advisory Panel further highlighted collective commitment against online exploitation and abuse.
Speaking at the ceremony, Fridtjof Rusten emphasized that online safety is a global crisis, noting the urgency of protecting Pakistan’s growing base of young digital users. He stressed that safeguarding children’s digital rights requires coordination across sectors and that the partnership has laid strong foundations for long-term protection.
Preliminary insights were also shared from the ongoing Disrupting Harm II study—conducted with ECPAT International and INTERPOL—representing one of Pakistan’s most comprehensive research efforts on online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Full findings, expected in April 2026, will inform national policy reforms and the development of a costed action plan.
UNICEF Representative Pernille Ironside highlighted the progress achieved through evidence generation, the establishment of Pakistan’s first Child Online Protection Committee, and nationwide awareness and empowerment initiatives for children, parents, and educators.
Over the past three years, the UNICEF–Telenor partnership has implemented capacity-building programs, digital campaigns, and community engagement activities while advocating for stronger policies and integrating online safety into education frameworks. This collaboration has strengthened Pakistan’s digital protection ecosystem and set a strong precedent for sustainable, multi-stakeholder action to safeguard children in the online world.
