Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has stated that the present government was committed to safeguarding the rights of children and undertaking policy, legislative and administrative reforms to make Pakistan a child-friendly country. "In fact it was our leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, who in her two terms as Prime Minister, always laid special emphasis on safeguarding the rights of children.
"The present Government, following the footsteps of its leader, has adopted the same course. We are undertaking policy, legislative and administrative reforms to make Pakistan a child-friendly country", the Prime Minister said in his message on the occasion Universal Children's Day, observed on November 20. "It is essential particularly in presence of certain extremist elements which can influence their tender minds towards undesirable direction", he added.
The Prime Minister said, "Islam enjoins upon us the sacred task of care, protection and grooming of children", adding, "in the light of Islamic teachings, we are committed to provide a congenial environment to our children where they can grow into responsible and dignified human beings".
"Keeping in view the family as a primary institution responsible for child care, the Government has initiated various programmes to support them in bringing up their children in a better way", he added. The Prime Minister said it was heartening to note that Pakistan joins the international community to celebrate the Universal Children's Day on the 20th of November 2010 with firm commitment and determination to safeguard Child Rights.
"Pakistan had the distinction of being one of the six-initiating countries of the World Summit for Children 1990 who put together the largest gathering of the world leaders at the United Nation. "As a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Pakistan has always remained at the forefront to advocate the Child Rights' agenda and played a key role at regional and international level to protect Child Rights", he added.
The Prime Minister said he was glad to note that Pakistan is celebrating two decades of ratification of the UNCRC. He appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Social Welfare for strengthening child protection mechanism in the country. "I urge also the Federal Ministries and provincial Governments to sincerely undertake legislative, administrative and social sector reforms to ensure an enabling environment for the protection of Child Rights", he added.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the UN agencies and non-governmental organisations for their efforts for continuously advocating and highlighting the child rights and child-related issues. "Since public-private partnership is immensely needed, I also call upon the private sector to come forward and play its effective role to make the country a safe haven for children", he added.-PR
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