QUETTA: PML-N MPA Rahila Hameed Khan Durrani called on the government on Monday to set up a separate ministry or department for the protection of children’s rights, adding that incidents of violence against children were frequently reported and authorities needed to take immediate action.

She was addressing a programme held at the Quetta Press Club to mark the Universal Children’s Day.

The event was organised by the social welfare department in collaboration with several non-governmental organisations, including the Azat Foundation, Institute for Development Studies and Practices (IDSP), Society for Empowering Human Resource (SEHR) and the Society of Collective Interests Orientation (Socio PAK).

Take a look: Institute inaugurated for street children

National Party’s MPA Dr Shama Ishaq said they would move a child protection bill in the Balochistan Assembly soon.

She said that they had been working on a draft of the bill which would be tabled in the assembly for approval. She added that law would be implemented in letter and spirit.

The director general of the social welfare department, Mohammad Hashim Kakar said that they were making efforts for the protection of children’s rights within limited resources.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2015