Complaint office: Child protection resolution signed

Resolution also calls for formation of a standing committee for children's rights.

LAHORE: A resolution for child protection and the formation of a standing committee for children’s rights was signed on Thursday by the participating representatives of various political parties including some members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs). These representatives had gathered at a session of the Children Complaint Office (CCO) Ombudsman, Lahore at the Pearl Continental Hotel. Ehsan Ghani, the CCO focal person, explained the work of the CCO in 2010.

He presented a report which said that some 122 cases were resolved by the CCO in 33 districts. He said that complainants included community members, parents and NGOs. Dr Yasmeen Rashid, the Pakistan Medical Association president, brought the attention of the participants to the unavailability of schools in some densely populated areas.

She also said that 20 union councils in the city did not have a single school. The participants agreed to eradicate child labour and stressed on the need of a help-line where complaints could be reported.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2010.