ISLAMABAD, July 9: A comprehensive code of ethics for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would be introduced soon in order to make them more accountable and public welfare-oriented, Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Zobaida Jalal said here on Sunday.

“We are in the process of preparing code of ethics for NGOs with their consultation to make their registration and working process more efficient and transparent,” she said in an exclusive interview with this agency.

She said in order to finalise the code of conduct there had been two meetings with the representatives of NGOs from Peshawar and Islamabad in the first round, while several other meetings would be held with NGOs of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan as part of the next round.

Zobaida Jalal said there were about 100,000 NGOs in the country and the government was in the scrutiny process to distinguish between the efficient and defunct NGOs. She said all stakeholders, including major and small NGOs, regional NGOs and civil society organisations throughout the country were being involved to finalise the code of ethics.

She said the government had also planned to table the Child Protection Bill during the next session of the National Assembly which would really help safeguard the rights of children and protect them against social evils like child abuse and child trafficking.

“We have also held meetings with parliamentarians belonging to both treasury and opposition benches and all of them have extended full support in introducing this bill,” she said. The minister said Child Protection Bureau and Child Protection Centre would be set up in the capital as well as in Turbat while five special education centres would be established in Sindh, southern Punjab, Balochistan and tribal agencies.—APP