PESHAWAR, Nov 21: NWFP Health Minister Inayatullah Khan has called upon parents, teachers and welfare organisations to join hands with the government in its efforts to promote awareness about children’s rights and create an environment conducive to their healthy growth and upbringing.

He was speaking at a seminar on "Child rights and child abuse and negligence in Pakistan" arranged by the Pakistan Paediatric Association and Child Rights Abuse Committee here on Tuesday.

He said education was playing a key role in the economic and social development of children. “There is a need for collective efforts to create awareness about the rights of children and ensure chances of educational development to them," he asserted.

He said Islam gives utmost importance to education and training of youngsters, both male and female.

He underlined the need for equal attention to legislation to protect child rights and imparting education to them.

Highlighting efforts of the provincial government for the welfare of the children, the minister said that various steps had been taken in this regard which included ban on corporal punishment in schools, paying the fee and providing their textbooks. "Academic scholarships have also been given to female students," he maintained.

Referring to initiatives being taken for extending better health facilities to the children, Mr Khan said that apart from other steps, approval of the establishment of Khyber Institute of Child Health was a remarkable achievement.

He urged the participants to submit workable recommendations to initiate legislation for the protection of children’ rights at the provincial level.

The seminar was also addressed by various experts.