PESHAWAR, April 22: The Provincial Council for Social Welfare here on Tuesday approved Rs1.7 million for a campaign against drug addiction and beggary, commencing from May 15.

 A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided over by NWFP Minister for Zakat, Ushr, Social Welfare and Women Development Hafiz Hashmat Khan.

The city district government of Peshawar has already allocated Rs500,000 for the purpose, official sources said.

Speaking on the occasion, Hashmat Khan stressed the need for collective and coordinated efforts by involving all the stakeholders, viz. NGOs, Anti-Narcotics Force, Afghan Commissionerate, Department of Health, Pakistan Baitul Maal, city police as well as philanthropists to effectively eradicate the menace of drug addiction and beggary.

Secretary of the social welfare department told the meeting that a drive would be launched soon through print and electronic media to mobilize philanthropists, charity organisations and well-off people of society to supplement government’s efforts for the rehabilitation of drug addicts and beggars.

Dr Afaq of Apwa at the meeting offered to accommodate beggars below the age of 12, at Darul Aman in Peshawar, where, he said, maximum facilities for the rehabilitation of such children were already available.

The city district government has already promised to provide accommodation for the addicts and beggars to be picked from various places during the campaign.

The council also decided to constitute a management unit in the department to boost its activities in collaboration with the NGOs having good repute.

The meeting was also attended by director of the social welfare department and members of the council, Assistant Prof Dr Fakhrul Islam and social worker department chairman Amirzada of Peshawar University, and Dr Ghulam Sarwar.