LAHORE, June 27: A high-level committee has opposed the transfer of all district shelter homes for women (Darul Amaans) to the newly-created women development department, declaring that at best it can be given 10 women hostels.

The decision has come after a refusal by the social welfare department to transfer shelter homes under its control to the new department.

The committee comprises several secretaries of administrative departments.

According to sources on Wednesday, it has seconded the stance of the social welfare department to the extent of the future of shelter homes, saying that the new department does not have any capacity to run them. At best the 10 women hostels of the social welfare department can be given to it.

Sources said the committee felt that the new department was at a nascent stage and it should first concentrate on developing itself on strong footings.

The transfer of shelter homes involved a lot of financial and human resource complications which the new department could not handle, they said.