PESHAWAR July 27: The European Union plans to initiate an ambitious project to eradicate child labour from three model districts of Pakistan - Shangla, Swat and Faisalabad.

This was disclosed by EU development adviser in Pakistan Dr Shaheena Waheed during a pre-feasibility meeting with district coordination officer Shangla Qaim Khan at his office.

Dr Shaheena disclosed that the child labour eradication project would include detailed survey and programme of action with the components of training, education and skilled development. She said that the aim of the project is to further improve the working conditions of coalmine workers and improve their professional capabilities.

She said that in the process of implementation, close coordination of other departments will be ensured as ILO, ministry of labour and micro credit providing financial institutions.

Dr Shaheena Waheed vowed that the five-year project will provide all the facilities to eliminate child labour on permanent basis from the project areas. She hoped that after the completion of documentation formalities, groundwork would be started in the first quarter of year 2005.

Qaim Khan, DCO Shangla, assured full cooperation to the EU adviser on behalf of the district government and appreciated the decision of the EU for selecting the backward District like Shangla for their welfare project. Shujaa Khan, divisional officer industries, commerce and labour department Malakand and Raza Shah, chairman Press Club Shangla were also present on the occasion. -PPI