25 April 2004	Sunday	04 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, April 24: The proposed policy to be chalked out with regard to children came under discussion at the fourth meeting of the Provincial Commission on Child Welfare in Sindh held under the chairmanship of Begum Khadija Soomro here on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by the secretary of social welfare and representatives of various government departments and non-governmental organizations.

The convention decided to organize a workshop at the provincial level to work out a plan of action for incorporation in the national policy.

The commission formed three coordination and action committees on (i) line of action, (ii) child protection and (iii) youth and adolescence.

These committees will comprise members drawn from government and NGOs.

It was decided that the commission will start work in connection with street-children so that steps could be taken for the betterment, rehabilitation, health and education.

It decided to approach the federal and provincial governments to provide funds to the commission so that such schemes could be executed.

It was observed that there is no "shelter home" for boys throughout Sindh. In this regard, both the federal and provincial governments were requested to extend help to the commission.

It was also decided that workshops and seminars be organized to create an awareness with regard to rights of children.

It was decided that the commission, from now on, will meet every quarterly to speed up its working.-APP