November 20, 2002	Wednesday	Ramazan 14, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: The World Children’s Day will be observed on Wednesday to mark the adoption of the convention on the rights of the child.

According to a press release, the ministry of women development and special education, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), has arranged special functions for the children at federal as well as provincial levels.

The press release said, in Islamabad, a grand function had been organized by the ministry. Sehba Musharraf would be the chief guest at the function and a number of celebrities from all over the country would join the children to express solidarity, it added.

Children from government and private schools, centres for special education and non-formal education have been invited to participate in the function.

A number of skits, songs and dramas would be presented by the children including girl guides and boy scouts. The children with disabilities and those from non-formal education centres for disadvantaged children would also present various items on the occasion.

The winners of national competitions on essay writing and poster making have been invited to receive their prizes. Participation certificates would be given to the children from all the regions.

President’s message: On the occasion of the Universal Children’s Day, Pakistan not only joins the global community for advocating the rights of a child but also reiterates its commitment to ensure survival, protection and growth of the children.

This was stated by President General Pervez Musharraf in his message on the eve of the Universal Children’s Day.

The President, in his message, said Pakistan was one of the six initiators of the World Summit for Children in 1990 and took the lead in signing and ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

“Pakistan has also ratified the International Labour Organization Convention 182 on the elimination of child labour, and signed optional protocols to the CRC on the involvement of children in armed conflicts, sale of children, child prostitution and pornography to safeguard the rights of the children,” the message read.

He said the protection of the rights of the children was guided by Islamic injunctions and was also enshrined in the Constitution of the country.

“We attach high priority to the agenda of children rights and have taken a number of initiatives for ensuring their protection. This priority is duly reflected in the current three- year’s Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and ten-year Perspective Plan covering various crucial areas of concern,” the President said.

The President said the government was actively preparing a national plan of action to ensure the protection of rights of the children.

“Our children are also participating in the preparation of this plan. We wish to create a congenial environment where every child has the opportunity to grow, develop and enrich his/her capabilities to the fullest possible extent without any kind of discrimination,” the message read.