December 14, 2006	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 22, 1427

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PESHAWAR, Dec 13: A two-day consultation on the 4th periodic report on child rights held between NWFP government departments and non-governmental organisations concluded here on Wednesday.

The report will be presented to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Child next year. The consultation was organised by the National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD), ministry of social welfare and special education.

Participants of the meeting called upon the government departments and NGOs working for child rights to do more.

Arshad Mehmood, programme coordinator of the NCCWD, said the consultation process was started for collecting information as the 4th periodic report was due in September 2007. Pakistan is one of the first 20 countries to sign and ratify the United Nations CRC in 1990.

He said that since Pakistan had lagged behind in submitting its 3rd report, a 30-member steering committee had been set up to oversee the report.

Officials of the social welfare, law, labour, health and education departments presented data showing progress in child rights. The education and health department officials claimed that more funds were being spent on children's welfare.

But other participants alleged that the situation in the NWFP had been dismal as many children were still being deprived of their rights.

Mr Mehmood said that observations and recommendations of the committee on the last report suggested a regular examination of the progress made in the implementation of child rights.

The committee requested the federal government that the National Plan of Action, approved by the cabinet in May, should be adopted through participatory groups.

It urged the government to do more to prevent early child marriages, ensure free and compulsory education and minimum ages for employment in accordance with the international standard.

Dr Tufail, chairman of the Provincial Commission on Child Rights, said that a broad-based alliance of civil society was required for ensuring child rights.

He said that his organisation was opening a centre for children where victims of sexual abuse would be provided all services under one roof.

Sultan Mehmood Khattak, secretary, social welfare department, said that a Daarul Kafala for child beggars had been set up, adding that the government was also running institutions for handicapped children.