Advisor to Chief Minister, Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz has said that children are our future and a comprehensive strategy has been evolved for their protection and welfare. She was addressing a gathering regarding policy of the government about the protection and welfare of children held under the aegis of Social Welfare Department and UNICEF at a local hotel, here on Wednesday.
Director General Social Welfare Malik Aslam, representatives of law, human rights and education departments and NADRA also addressed the meeting. Begum Shahnawaz disclosed that Social Welfare Department had set up institutions for the deserving and hapless children. She said that steps were being taken for the welfare of the children with the co-operation of UNICEF and other welfare organisations.
She said that the government despite its limited resources was endeavouring to control the increasing population and resolution of problems arising due to it. She said that education was the basic right of every child so that he could play his role in the development of the country as a useful citizen. She disclosed that a large number of children less than the age of 15 years were forced to earn their livelihood. They were facing social problems due to which they have to face mental, physical and social torture, she added.
She said that the child marriage is also a social problem. A policy for protection and welfare of the children has been formulated in consultation with concerned institutions for resolving all such problems. She disclosed that under this policy, a public awareness campaign would be launched and the teachers of education institutions would also be informed about the rights of the children. She said that institutions set up for the protection of children would be made more active and vibrant so that they could become useful citizen.