KARACHI: On the occasion of World Children’s Day, which is celebrated on November 20, Unicef and singer and musician Bilal Maqsood unveiled Bachpan Bemisaal, a powerful new series that champions Early Childhood Development (ECD) — the foundation of every child’s health, learning and well-being — through storytelling and music at the Aga Khan University’s (AKU) main auditorium on Thursday.
Jointly conceived by Bilal Maqsood and Unicef, Bachpan Bemisaal is a four-part series under the Pakkay Dost banner that brings science to life through relatable characters and stories, heartfelt songs and humour.
The episodes focus on how responsive caregiving, love, nutrition, hygiene, play and early stimulation build strong minds.
While speaking on the occasion, Bilal Maqsood said that children here don’t have original Urdu content. “Either they watch Western content or they watch Western content that has been dubbed into Hindi,” he said.
Bilal Maqsood and Unicef unveil new Urdu series Bachpan Bemisaal to support early childhood development; AKUH holds walk for children’s rights
“We wanted to make Urdu cool for our children by coming up with shows that are at par with everything else that our children have been watching. Otherwise, they will simply swipe away and watch something else,” he reasoned.
“So with Pakkay Dost and Bachpan Bemisaal now we want to give our children wholesome memories of childhood like we have of Sohail Rana and his songs for children or Farooq Qaiser and his puppet characters like Uncle Sargam, Maasi Museebte, and the rest,” he added.
Childhood Development Manager for Unicef, Dr Saba Shuja said that ECD is one of the smartest investments a country can make. “When children receive care, nutrition and stimulation in their earliest years, they grow up happy and learn better,” she said.
“They must be given the right to play, the right to participate and the right to express themselves,” she added.
Earlier, Chief of Polio Team, Unicef, Melissa Corkum, who is also Chief Programme Section of Unicef stressed that child rights are not abstract principles. They are lived realities. “Child rights are present when a child is safe, healthy, learning and loved and they are missing when children face poverty, exclusion, violence and limited opportunities,” she said.
While some selected clips from all four episodes of Bachpan Bemisaal were being screened it was great to find the students in the auditorium clapping, snapping their fingers and tapping their toes along with the catchy songs which spread messages about the importance of not losing temper, eating healthy food, playing and receiving attention and affection.
A kids and parents’ joint panel followed to share their impressions about the clips, both were highly appreciative of the content. The children also pointed out their favourite characters in the clips.
Some behind the scenes footage was also shared which helped everyone understand the hard work and planning which goes into the making of the shows.
Later, a panel discussion involving some members of the Children’s Parliament on the Right to Education, a movement led by the children of Sindh and two MPAs Nida Khuhro and Muhammad Qasim Soomro highlighted the many issues coming in the way of children’s education in Sindh.
The Chief of Field Office, Unicef, Sindh, Prem Bahadur Chand and actors Sanam Saeed and Ayaz Khan also spoke.
Week-long celebrations conclude
On the culmination of its week-long World Children’s Day celebrations, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) also organised a ‘Walk for Children’s Rights’ at the AKU Sports and Rehabilitation Centre walking track.
The event brought together children, parents, students, teachers, doctors, staff and the wider community in a powerful demonstration of support for children’s well-being, protection, and empowerment.
The walk served as a highlight of the AKUH’s week-long celebrations, which featured thoughtfully curated activities across multiple paediatric and outpatient spaces.
Throughout the week, children participated in play therapy sessions in paediatric wards, student-led debates, and creative showcases designed to encourage expression, confidence and learning.
The activities were also held across AKUH’s off-campus hospitals in Karimabad, Garden, Kharadar and Hyderabad. Special engagements in outpatient clinics brought moments of joy to children and families visiting for care, ensuring that celebrations extended across all hospital services and touched communities beyond the main campus.
Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2025.