18 November 2004	Thursday	05 Shawwal 1425

KARACHI, Nov 17: The government is working on a national plan of action on child rights under which suitable amendments would be incorporated in the existing laws to protect rights of children.

"Sindh Commission for Child Welfare and Development has initiated different studies through consultants to prepare recommendations for the plan of action," Amir Waheed, coordinator of the commission told PPI.

In this regard, the commission has convened a review meeting on Nov 22 to discuss the plan to set up drop-in centres in the province from the next year. "Initially, we would be launching first pilot centre in Karachi in which the street children will be given shelter, protection, education, healthcare facilities and psychotherapy," he said.

Children were insecure on streets where police victimized them, criminals used them for their heinous motives hence they needed permanent rehabilitation, he said. Amir Waheed said that the country already had laws against child labour and for protection of child rights, but, the lack of proper implementation had always created problems.

Terming it a serious matter, he said that the government should take possible steps. The organizations working on the issue of street children believe that at least 15,000 such children live in Karachi.

A report of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan states that 4,500 children below 18 years of age have been in different jails and majority of them are being abused by jail staff and prisoners.

Children are facing mental and physical torture everywhere - at homes, schools, workshops and police stations. They need immediate and proper attention of the government. Though the government had announced in 2001 to ensure education to 60-75 per cent children by the year 2004, the HRCP report states that six million children are still out of schools. -PPI