INTRODUCTION
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, 1980 in December 2016, which has been enforced w.e.f 01.03.2017. The objects of the Convention are to secure the prompt return of the children wrongfully removed or retained and ensure the rights of the children. As Pakistan is a Federation and in its constitution, the subject to family and children is vested in the provinces. To effectively implement the Convention, The Hague Convention, 1980, has been added in the Schedule of the West Pakistan Family Courts Act, 1964 to bring international child Abduction cases within the jurisdiction of the family court in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and all Provinces of Pakistan including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan also done the same. The Central Authority under the Convention lies in the Ministry of Law and Justice, however, for purposes of effective coordination amongst the Provinces and Central Authority point of contact and focal persons in Provinces had been notified. The information regarding Provincial point of Contacts, focal persons and amendment in the schedule to the Family Court Act, 1964 could be seen below at “Notifications.”
STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES
Govt. of Punjab NOTIFICATION ( 58 of 2019 ) dated, 22 Aug 2019
Govt. of Sindh NOTIFICATION dated, 13 Nov 2019
Govt. of KPK NOTIFICATION dated, 10 Mar 2020
Govt. of Balochistan NOTIFICATION dated, 08 Feb 2020
Govt. of AJK NOTIFICATION dated,24 Jun 2019
Govt. of Gilgit Baltistan NOTIFICATION dated,18 Mar 2020
CONVENTION ON THE CIVIL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION, 25TH OCTOBER, 1980
THE WEST PAKISTAN FAMILY COURTS ACT, 1964