INTRODUCTION

Family is one of the most important social institution of almost every society of the world including Pakistan. During one’s childhood, adulthood, as well as parenthood every one highly influences and is influenced by the family. The family can make or mar the potential of individuals. An individual’s physical and mental health is significantly related to one’s family inheritance, socialization and inter-relationships. Further, the genesis of one’s conflicts, physical and mental sickness, corruption, crime, terrorism, social tensions and global unrest may be located in the family. Most of the problems with individuals and societies either begin or end up in the family. So, a family is directly and / or indirectly the major concern of almost everybody.

The study of ‘family’ has long been ignored in Pakistan. Family in Pakistan is being considered as a close, private and secret affair and the individuals therein seem to be silent sufferers. Adults and children are being abused and neglected. Their weak and distorted personalities are vulnerable to many psychological and social ailments. They are not preparing themselves to face the challenges of modern times. It is alarming that their relations and problems in family are not being given proper attention by researchers, educators, therapists, social scientists and policy makers. Perhaps, that is why, most of the adults and children of Pakistani society are wasting a lot of their talent, time, money and energy. Consequently, they are hampering their individual, social and national development.
For the sake of individual, social and national development, the most important social institution of our society, i.e. the family, should not be neglected any more. Healthy families are likely to bring forth healthy individuals and healthy society. With such a great cause, the organizers of Pakistan Council on Family Relations (PCFR) invite all the psychologists, psychiatrists, sociologists, social workers, physicians, lawyers, educators, family therapists, researchers, policy makers and all those interested in healthy families to join their hands together for individual, social and national development.

ORGANIZATION MANDATE

• Lobby governments and the United Nations
• Provide training or education on child and woman rights
• Research and intervention on marriage and the family
• Work with media and press for protection and enrichment of marriage and the family.

Child, Marriage and Family Policy

Family and the Sustainable Development Goals

Marriage and Family Relationship Counselling

Early Childhood Education and Development

Adolescent, Youth, and Elderly Issues

Intergenerational communication

The Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961 (VIII of 1961)

Child Labour and Pakistan

Counselling