Child Welfare Institute underway

Institute in Rahim Yar Khan almost complete

BAHAWALPUR: The construction of a Child Welfare Institute in Bahawalpur was inaugurated on Wednesday. Provincial Child Protection Bureau Chairperson Saba Sadiq said the idea was to uplift the most vulnerable segment of the society. The government has introduced a phased programme under which Child Protection Bureau units will be opened in every district in the province.

Sadiq was addressing the inauguration ceremony. “The children of today are the future of our country…they will build our nation.” She said it was imperative for the government to ensure that attention was paid to how children in the province were raised and educated. “Islam teaches us the importance of welfare and charitable work…all segments of the society, therefore, must play a positive role in ensuring the rights of children.”

It is the duty of every citizen to protect the rights of orphans and children who have run away from their homes, she said. “The Child Protection Bureau was established to educate these children and teach them certain skills that would enable them to earn a livelihood.”

The government has set aside Rs140 million for the construction of the Child Protection Bureau building in Bahawalpur. The building will be completed next year and will have room to house 500 children. Sadiq said Rahim Yar Khan’s Child Protection Bureau building was almost complete. “It will also have room to house 500 children.”

She lauded the recently passed Protection of Women against Violence Act. “The law will strengthen the position of women in our society. It is in accordance with Islamic laws and ensures that women are respected in our society.”

MNA Parveen Masood Bhatti, who was present on the occasion, said it was necessary for the country to educate and protect its children in order to have it a positive impact on the society.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2016.