KARACHI, March 19: The Society for Protection of the Rights of the Child (Sparc) Karachi on Monday condemned extortionists calling themselves ‘social workers’ and harassing special children of Gulistan-i-Mazooreen, in Mirpurkhas, by demanding money.

The Gulistan-i-Mazooreen Centre and the Mirpurkhas Special Sports and Welfare Association have been providing opportunities of entertainment and skill development to the special children of Mirpurkhas free of cost.

According to a press statement issued by the Sparc, District Nazim of Mirpurkhas Dr Sughra Junejo had approved an amount of Rs500,000 for the renovation of the building to establish the centre. However, the so-called social workers have been demanding not only the possession of the building but also half of the money allocated by the nazim.

It said though the centre was functioning for three years at the old building, parts of the old decrepit structure was being demolished to refurbish it. It deplored that the greedy elements had blocked the work and were harassing the children.

Akhtar Baloch, Regional Manager of Sparc, said that promoting the cause of welfare of disabled children like the normal ones was like promoting human rights.

He urged the authorities concerned to take notice of the matter and bring the ‘blackmailers’ to book for harassing the disabled children, seeking extortion money and indulging in violation of human rights and other illegal acts.