ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain called on Tuesday for discouraging Jirga system in rural areas and said it could not serve the people of remote areas.

Talking to a delegation of Federal Ombudsman’s National Committee on Children against the backdrop of failure to launch polio vaccination campaigns in some parts of Federally Administered Tribal Areas because of the Jirga’s decision not to let their children be administered polio drops, the president said that it was quite astonishing that people preferred to follow Jirga decisions instead of obeying the law of the land.

“Acceptance of Jirga’s decisions by the people in rural areas is quite deplorable,” a president’s spokesperson quoted Mr Mamnoon as saying.

Take a look: More jirga ‘justice’

The president expressed concern over the refusal by parents in some parts of Fata to get their children vaccinated against polio.

“Who are these people? Don’t’ they know that this disease can make their children physically retarded,” the president asked.

He stressed the need for taking effective measures to eradicate polio from the country, particularly from Fata.

“The challenges being faced by children are daunting and our resources are limited. Therefore, there is need to mobilise resources both at the federal and provincial levels to safeguard rights of children,” he said.

Referring to the role of federal and provincial ombudsmen, Mr Mamnoon appreciated their services and directed them to formulate recommendations for effectively protecting rights of children. He asked them to also seek opinion of Ulema on the matter.

The president assured his full support to the ombudsmen in their efforts and appreciated their commitment to provide relief to millions of children in the country.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2015

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