Domestic violence: Shelters counselling planned

The project, Panaah (shelter), will begin in four divisional headquarters in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan and Bahawalpur

BAHAWALPUR: The Social Welfare Department of the Punjab government plans to launch a shelter homes project to aid victims of domestic violence, Social Welfare District Officer Rana Ashraf announced in a meeting on Friday. The project, called Panaah (shelter), will begin in four divisional headquarters in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan and Bahawalpur. It will later be replicated in other districts. Ishtiaq Ahmad, an organiser at the Panaah centre said that initially women seeking counseling would be registered by the Social Welfare Department. He said that the women would be provided training and computer courses to help them gain independence. The women would also be provided help solving financial problems. Assistance would be provided from banks, Zakaat and Baitul Maal. Panaah Chairperson Qamar Shafi said that every person in a community should play their role helping others.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2013.