LAHORE, Aug 22: Law and Local Government Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja on Tuesday assured full government support for the expansion of Child Protection Bureau’s network to other cities in the province.

The government would also provide all possible resources for the protection and upbringing of the children being looked after by the bureau, he said at a function held to mark the first anniversary of the body here.

He said the bureau, created to make destitute and beggar children useful citizens, had been given full protection through legislation. The legal cover had also been provided to give permanence to the bureau’s activities, he said.

The minister said during the past one year, the bureau had proved that everything could be done if there was a will to do it. The bureau was created in accordance with the vision of the chief minister to protect children, who were forced to beg.

He said the government’s political opponents indulging in non-constructive criticism must also appreciate the positive steps taken by it. Some NGOs working for children welfare were criticized for their conduct, but all were not bad, he said.

Education Minister Imran Masood and chief minister’s advisor Dr Faiza Asghar also spoke on the occasion. Special Education Minister Qudsia Lodhi, Dr Farzana Nazir and Gulshan Ara Malik also attended the function.