ISLAMABAD, April 13: The representative of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education gave a comprehensive briefing to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Social Welfare and Special Education, here on Friday.

The meeting of the Committee, held under the chairmanship of Bushra Rehman, MNA, was informed that it was for the first time that a national policy on child protection was being formulated.

According to a press release, the Committee suggested a number of points for incorporation in the policy. The main objective of the policy is to fulfil international and regional commitments made for the protection of children from violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination and to provide legal cover to all initiatives and actions required for this.

While briefing the committee on the progress of Pakistan Baitul Mal, its deputy managing director said the institution was managing six projects to assist needy persons.

There projects were: Food Support Programme, Child Support Programme, Individual Financial Assistance, Centres for Rehabilitation of Child Labour, Vocational Training Centres and Institutional Rehabilitation.

The committee took serious notice inadequate electronic media coverage of the Committee’s last meeting, held on March 9, 2007.

Friday’s meeting was attended by the following members of the National Assembly: Muhammad Tahir Shah, Dr Hajra Tariq Aziz, Khurram Munawar Manj, Akram Masih Gill, Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood, Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar, Sayeda Farhana Khalid Banoori, Khalida Mohsin Ali Qureshi, Ramesh Lal and Maimoona Hashmi.

The secretary and senior officers from the ministry and the Baitul Mal were also present.