ISLAMABAD, June 28: The National Steering Committee on Children has approved the setting up of a national commission on child care.

The decision was taken at a meeting, which was presided over by Social Welfare Minister Dr Attiya Inayatullah.

The steering committee was constituted two years ago to carry out the End of Decade Review and Follow Up of the world summit on children. Another objective was to undertake preparations for the United Nations General Assembly’s Special Session on Children (UNGASS), held in May this year.

An official statement says the proposed national commission on child care will perform the functions of the steering committee as well as those of the National Commission on Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD).

To ensure participation of the stackholders, its membership will be composed of children, elected representatives and civil society organizations, Unicef, corporate sector and the government of Pakistan.

The commission will have four standing committees — children forum, child corporate concern, media network and child rights oversight committee.

The steering committee also reviewed Pakistan’s participation in the UNGASS.

Four children, who had represented the country in the session, shared their experiences.

It was noted that Pakistan’s participation was very effective and the officials and NGO delegates had also participated in a large number of United Nations General Assembly’s standing and sub-committee deliberations to gain maximum benefit from the gathering of world leaders on children issues.

Actions being taken for elimination of child labour and laws for checking the trafficking and abuse of children were also discussed during the meeting. It was recommended that in the poverty reduction strategy, child labour must be accepted as an indicator.