September 25, 2003	Thursday	Rajab 27, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 24: The 18-member United Nations Committee has expressed concern over the lack of budgetary allocations for education, health and disabled children in Pakistan, says a press release here on Wednesday.

The committee raised the issue when adviser to the prime minister on women development, social welfare and special education, Nilofer Bakhtiar, presented Pakistan’s second periodic report at the UN Headquarters in Geneva on Sept 22.

The UN committee also criticized ineffective implementation of laws, which had been or being enacted in Pakistan, for the protection of children’s rights.

The committee also urged the adviser to enhance the budgetary allocations in line with the government’s commitment to rights and welfare of the child. The committee will adopt its formal observations on Pakistan’s report at the concluding session on October 3.

However, after the six-hour long session, the committee appreciated certain steps taken by the Pakistan government for protecting children’s rights with special emphasis on their education.

The members applauded the promulgation of Juvenile Justice System Ordinance-2002, which had abolished death penalty, handcuffing and fettering of children and also contained liberal bail provisions for juvenile offenders.

They also appreciated the ordinance on prevention and control of human trafficking with special provisions for the protection of children, women and girls against trafficking.

The committee hailed the ministry’s food programme in 29 underdeveloped districts of Pakistan for the female children to increase their enrolment at primary-level education.

Similarly, in her statement, Nilofer Bakhtiar reiterated Pakistan government’s firm commitment to the protection of children’s rights and for creating an enabling environment for their growth, development and welfare.

She also highlighted various steps taken by the government in recent years for eliminating violence and abuse against children.

She said despite tough economic conditions faced by the country during last few years, the government had been able to achieve significant progress in fulfilling country’s obligations under the convention on the of rights children.