President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday emphasised collaborative efforts by both public and private sector organisations for the welfare of children. "I would like to emphasise that the task of child welfare requires partnerships of all the public and private agencies," he said in his message on the occasion of Universal Children Day falling on Saturday (November 20).
The President expressed solidarity with children and reaffirmed his pledge for their welfare, protection and development to enable them to become useful citizens of Pakistan and productive members of the global village.
The President said government was carrying forward an agenda for substantial reforms that would have a positive impact on the lives of children in future.
"I call upon the civil society, philanthropists, NGOs as well as the international development partners, the media, the corporate sector and children themselves, to come together and play their role in the national efforts to improve the lives of children," the President said.
He also urged federal and provincial governments to strengthen mechanisms that dealt with children and to ensure to put in place a child protection system at par with national and international obligations.
As Pakistan joined international community in observing Universal Children's Days, the President said, "we reaffirm our determination and sincere commitment made to safeguard the Rights of Children."
He said Pakistan as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) had always been in forefront in international initiatives aimed to protect rights of the child and fully supported the promotion of a child friendly environment.
He also appreciated the United Nations and Non- Government Organisations for their advocacy efforts of child rights and hoped they would continue pursuing that important mission.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in his message said Pakistan has embarked upon a multifaceted initiative for providing better care, health and education to children under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), particularly the Education Sector Reforms, Primary Health Care Programme, Poverty Alleviation Programme and Access to Justice Programme.
He said: "I am glad to note that the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education is currently working on a plan of action for children, setting targets and development goals, which will help to promote an enabling environment for children.
Under the plan every child will have equal opportunity and access to grow, develop and enrich his/her evolving capacities and capabilities to the fullest possible extent without any discrimination.
It is encouraging to note that civil society organisations are also playing an active role to complement the government's efforts in providing the enabling environment to our children.
I would urge all concerned to ensure that children in Pakistan enjoy good environmental surroundings, access to health facilities, quality education, leisure and recreation. We as a nation should commit to find out ways and means to protect our children because they are the future human resource of this country and a trust in our hands.
Our policy in this behalf is guided by Islamic injunctions and is also enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan," he added in his message.
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