In Pakistan, the over-reliance on institutional care, particularly in orphanages, has become a growing concern. This issue is further intensified by the mushrooming growth of private orphanages in all parts of the country in recent years. Taking care of orphans attracts significant charitable donations, leading to the rapid establishment of many orphanages that now thrive on public funds. Unfortunately, these institutions often house children who are not true orphans but come from impoverished families struggling with financial or social difficulties. This unnecessary institutionalization not only separates children from their families but also exposes them to potential risks of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Furthermore, many of these care institutions avoid accountability, shunning their responsibilities to answer to relevant government authorities. This lack of oversight creates an environment where the vulnerabilities of these children can be easily manipulated, as seen in the Sarim Burney case. This incident serves as a grim reminder of how flaws in the current system can be exploited, underscoring the urgent need for reform.

Institutional care should be considered a last resort for children, a practice supported by extensive research and global best practices. Children thrive in family settings, where they receive individualized care, love, and emotional support. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s current system offers limited alternatives to institutional care, forcing many children into orphanages.

This not only deprives them of the nurturing environment they need but also increases their risk of exploitation by those who prey on their vulnerability. Institutional care can have negative consequences for children’s development, including emotional trauma, social isolation, and limited opportunities for education and growth. Children have a fundamental right to live with their families or in family-like settings. By prioritizing alternatives to institutional care, Pakistan can ensure that children have the best possible chance to thrive and reach their full potential.

Reforming the childcare system is crucial to reducing the number of children in orphanages and ensuring that every child has the chance to grow up in a loving family. Institutional care should only be a last resort for children. Extensive research and global best practices consistently demonstrate that children thrive in family environments, where they receive personalized care, love, and emotional support. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s current system lacks sufficient alternatives to institutional care, forcing many children into orphanages. This approach deprives them of the nurturing environment they deserve and increases their risk of exploitation by those who prey on their vulnerability.

To address this, it is essential to prioritize strengthening family support services. Many families are compelled to place their children in orphanages due to a lack of resources that could help them manage financial or social challenges. By investing in comprehensive support services—such as financial assistance, counseling, and community-based programs—the government can help keep families together. These services can tackle the root causes that lead to the institutionalization of children, ensuring that children remain in the care of their parents or extended family members whenever possible. This reform is imperative to create a system where children are nurtured within families rather than being confined to institutions.

The development of a robust foster care system is crucial in providing children with a safe and nurturing alternative to institutional care. Different types of foster families, including kinship care, should be made available to meet the diverse needs of children. Foster care allows children to grow up in a family setting, receiving the individual attention and care they need to develop into well-adjusted adults. This shift towards family-based care is essential in reducing the reliance on orphanages and providing children with a more stable and loving environment.

The government must take immediate action to strengthen child protection policies and ensure their effective implementation. This includes improving the monitoring and regulation of orphanages to prevent the exploitation and abuse of children. The recent incident involving Sarim Burney highlights the critical need for stringent regulations and oversight to prevent similar cases of child trafficking and exploitation.

There is a need for increased awareness about the negative impacts of institutional care and the benefits of family-based care. Public perception and policy must shift towards prioritizing the well-being of children within a family setting. Advocacy efforts should focus on educating communities, policymakers, and stakeholders about the importance of family-based care and the detrimental effects of institutionalization on children’s development.

Effective care reform also requires the expansion of community-based services that can intervene early and provide support to vulnerable families and children. These services can play a crucial role in preventing the need for institutional care by addressing issues such as poverty, domestic violence, and substance abuse within the community.

The case of Sarim Burney should serve as a wake-up call for Pakistan. It is a painful reminder of the urgent need for care reforms to protect our children from exploitation and ensure their right to grow up in a safe, loving family environment. The government, civil society, and all stakeholders must come together to prioritize the well-being of our children by investing in family support services, expanding family-based care options, and strengthening child protection policies.

The time for change is now. We must act swiftly to reform our childcare system, reduce the number of orphanages, and provide every child in Pakistan with the opportunity to thrive within a family. By doing so, we can safeguard the future of our children and build a society where they are protected, loved, and given the best chance to succeed.

The writer is a social sector consultant and researcher with expertise on children in alternative care. He can be reached at amirmurtaza1@hotmail.com.