Cabinet approval sought for setting up orphanage homes

An awareness campaign across the province also on the cards to sensitise the parents about importance of education

ISLAMABAD: The Social Welfare Department (SWD) Balochistan is seeking cabinet nod for release of Rs 3 billion required to set up orphanage homes for destitute children across the province.   The initiative is aimed at providing basic amenities of life to destitute children under one roof, Balochistan Minister for Social Welfare and Non-formal Education Mir Asadullah Baloch told APP on Wednesday.

Under the scheme, the orphans of 4-6 years would be offered multiple facilities including accommodation, food, clothing, education, sports facilities and monthly stipend. He said the government was keen to protect future generations from the threat of malnutrition, illiteracy, illness and other poverty related issues.

The long term investment would help making the country more prosperous and self-sustainable, he added. Asadullah said the provincial government had also initiated a plan of action for curbing child labour in the province, making education compulsory for the children.

He said the provincial assembly had passed Child Protection Act 2016 to end underage labour, adding that the government had started process of fresh recruitment in the labour department to ensure strict implementation of laws in that regard.

A massive awareness campaign across the province was also on the cards to sensitise the parents about importance of education, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2019.