LAHORE, May 7: Advisor to chief minister on children rights Dr Faiza Asghar has said under-age boys involved in minor offences should be sent to rehabilitation centres and not jails.

Presiding over a meeting about formulation of laws on custody and rehabilitation of lost, runaway and kidnapped children at the Punjab social welfare department’ s Nigheban Centre on Wednesday, she said the future of such children became uncertain when they went into the hands of anti-social elements. She said these children also became part of unethical activities.

Dr Faiza said the children in juvenile wards in jails must be kept separate from those children involved in minor offences.

She said the cases in courts demanded speedy justice. She stressed the need to create awareness among the masses about children’s rights.

The CM’s adviser said the government would monitor the progress of the institutions working for the betterment of children.

Social Welfare Department Director-General Mazhar Ali Khan and representatives of various government departments attended the meeting.