KARACHI, May 1: The elimination of child labour is among the top priorities of the government with major emphasis on providing necessary support to children forced into economic activities beyond their capacities.

This was stated by Nilofer Bakhtiar, adviser to the prime minister for women development, social welfare and special education, while talking to journalists here on Saturday, which coincided with World Labour Day. She said the child labour elimination strategy held particular reference for those engaged as domestic support.

In her press conference at the Pakistan Muslim League House, she said the country, observing 2004 as the "International Child Year", was keen for the welfare of children, particularly of those belonging to the lower segment of society.

According to her it was in this context that some 30 schools for working children were being established with the support the ILO this year in addition to the 36 already functioning under the Ministry of Social Welfare.

She said the prime minister had constituted a committee comprising the Social Welfare, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Health and Education ministries to adopt a comprehensive approach towards quality and dignified existence of all children.

Elaborating, she said some 78 different legal provisions were being deliberated upon which could help ensure proper implementation of the child welfare programme across the country.

Ms Bakhtiar said that while the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry had embarked upon a scheme for "Juvenile Law System", as announced by President General Pervez Musharraf, the Health Ministry had been entrusted with the task of reducing infant and child mortality rate.

The Labour Ministry, she said, was also in the process of containing child labour and that since all these issues were linked to "Poverty", the Ministry of Social Welfare in coordination with all ministries was trying to create public awareness and seeking coordinated efforts to alleviate poverty.

Nilofer appealed to the PML workers as well as the masses to realize that poverty eradication, socio-economic uplift and improved literacy rates were major issues and funds were required to address them.

On the occasion, the adviser to the prime minister also discussed the measures being adopted for the welfare of disabled people and she particularly referred to a bill to be presented before parliament for a minimum and compulsory two per cent job quota for such people in both the private and public sectors.

She agreed that the present one per cent job quota was not being implemented as there was no stringent legislative mechanism to enforce it.

The audience were reminded that the country's first National Policy for Disabled was announced in 2002 as per directives of President Pervez Musharraf.

With regard to facilities for special children and disabled people, Nilofer Bakhtiar mentioned the steps being taken for ensuring quality education and vocational training with necessary recreational activities for such people.

A pilot programme initiated in Islamabad was also mentioned with facilities of library and park while special swimming pool was to be built.

The adviser to the prime minister said that all provincial capitals had already been declared "Disabled Friendly Cities" and under the same it was required that all under-completion projects and those being envisaged should hold necessary provision for facilities for the disabled.

She said all major government buildings in Islamabad, including the President House, the Prime Minister House and the Parliament, had facilities such as ramps, elevators, special lavatories and special parking space for the special people.

With regard to the Women Development Programmes initiated or in process of being introduced in the country, she said the federal women development department in coordination with the provincial governments was about to launch a "Hunarmand Aurat Project" meant for the economic development of women.

According to her, under this project 'Business Resource Centres' for women will be established in Islamabad and all the four provincial capitals, where women running small businesses or intending to start the same would be assisted in procuring loans.

Giving its further details, she said there would be display centres at all the five Hunarmand Centres besides provision for quality control, product marketing and product designing. According to her this would be a part of the programme to ensure that the products prepared by women were put on sale at all the five display centres under an inter-provincial exchange arrangement but might also be exported.

Regarding the social uplift of women, she said the Complaint Centres for Women Victims of Violence had already been put into operation, and the Crisis Centre with the Shelter Home for victims in general and destitute women in particular were in the process of being established.

Ms Bakhtiar also announced early commencement of a Helpline service for women exposed to any form of violence. Saying that all these projects were community oriented, the government would appreciate the involvement of non-governmental organizations and volunteers working for the cause.- APP