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| November 26, 2005 | Saturday | Shawwal 23, 1426 |
Senate committee stresses need for sustainable plan
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: The senate standing committee on social welfare and special education has underlined the need for a comprehensive and sustainable plan for the rehabilitation of people disabled in the earthquake. The committee met in the Parliament House here on Friday with Senator Dr Nighat Agha in the chair.
It discussed welfare plans for the injured and settlement of the displaced.
Federal secretary Naeem Khan informed the committee that Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal took timely steps for rehabilitation of earthquake victims and distributed Rs129.222 million among 7,189 families in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Mansehra, Shangla, Swat and Peshawar.
It was informed that Aashiana has been established near Hattian where health, education and vocational training facilities are available to 1000 quake victims, mostly destitute women and children.
Three vocational centres have been established in Garhi Pan Chowk, Domail and Bagh in AJK while a total of 38 vocational centres have been planned with the collaboration of Unicef.
The Committee was further informed that tents, medicines, mineral water, food stuff, fire burner and plastic sheets worth Rs2.9 million were distributed in Balakot and Shangla by the National Council of Social Welfare (NCSW).
Besides, relief goods including medicines and gas cylinders worth Rs5.626 million were received from Qatar and distributed in Balakot, Ghari Habibullah and Shangla.
The committee strongly recommended that the law regarding import of duty-free cars and special vehicles for the disabled and the handicapped be revived forthwith.
The committee recommended that expenditures on import or purchase of new cars (including bullet proof vehicles) be curtailed and a national policy with regard to these imports be announced.
Dr Nighat Agha said that special care should be taken for rehabilitation of affected children.
Senator Maulana Sami-ul-Haq offered to accommodate 5000 children in his Madressah and to ensure free accommodation, education and health facilities to the children affected by the earthquake. He said setting up of mosques as community centres be included in the national plan for rehabilitation.
The meeting was also attended by Senators Mrs Tanveer Khalid, Mrs Abida Saif, Shuja-ul-Mulk, Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, Ms Saadia Abbasi, Muhammad Sarwar Kakar and Muhammad Enver Baig. Additional secretary senate Shahiq Ahmed Khan, Additional Secretary Mr Noor Saghir Khan, M D, PBM and senior officers of the ministry.—APP
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