Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, Zobaida Jalal said the government would devise a framework for ensuring bright future for children and their rights as has been guaranteed in the United Nations Convention.
Talking to APP on Friday, Zobaida said the ministry is the key institution for the welfare of children with a wide network of provincial and district level.
She said National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD), being part of the ministry, is also framing the national plan of action to ensure that childcare provision meets minimum standards in the line with the UC Convention on the rights of the child. According to the latest update available in NCCWD, the minister said there are approximately about 12,000 children in 152 registered institutions.
There are thousands of children living in Madrassas and in private unregistered institutions as well, she said, adding that, "we are also making efforts to streamline unregistered institutions in the country".
She said, we have also set up Child Protection Centre in Islamabad aimed at providing education, healthcare and other facilities to the street and working children. Besides, the government has also decided to set up these centres in Turbat and Balochistan.
To a question, the minister said children have the rights to standards of care and protection within families and in institutions. However, she added that children deprived of parental care are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and emotional deprivation.