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Aziz urges SA states to benefit from each other's experiences

20 May, 2005

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz embraces a disabled child, Hafiz Muhammad Sheraz during a seminar on violence against Children. Federal Minist

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ISLAMABAD, May 21 (Online): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that it was imperative that South Asian countries should benefit from each other's experiences to tackle decade old common problems for the well-being of people of the largest continent.

Addressing at UNICEF concluding session of South Asian regional countries conference on violence against children arranged by the ministry of special education and social welfare here Friday, the Prime Minister underscored that Afghanistan and India were our neighbours and Pakistan had lasting relations with Bangladesh while Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives were rich in natural resources all these countries should expedite efforts to bring prosperity to the region.

Federal Minister for social welfare Zobaida Jalal, special representative of UN secretary general Sirgev Penharo and regional director of UNICEF Miss. Silya Robert also spoke on the occasion.

Referring to violence against children issue, the Prime Minister said that issue of children was collectively important for us all as children were our future assets and we should work out long-term strategies to tackle challenges faced to the children.

He admitted that millions of children on daily basis were subjected to different kind of violence and this was the responsibility of all South Asian countries to take solid measures to address the menace on permanent basis.

He assured that Child Protection Centre would be established in the federal capital, which would play pivotal role in the growth and character building of children.

"We should explore ways to ensure children's rights and security," he said adding it was responsibility of the government to provide peaceful environment to the children.

About peace in the region, he said that Islamabad was striving hard to maintain peace in the region as peace was key to economic development.

Addressing on the occasion Federal Minister for special education and social welfare Zubaida Jalal said that South Asian countries should chalk out comprehensive strategy for the welfare of the children.

She said that legislation was under consideration to make children working in factories and begging in bazaars useful citizens of the society. The government is taking revolutionary measures to control violence against children in the country.

She asserted that strict measures would be taken to control menace of children smuggling and it was high time to create awareness about children's rights. She underscored that proposals and recommendations proposed today by various speakers to take steps for children rights would be presented in the United Nation Assembly for proper implementation.

She was optimistic by saying that with the extended cooperation of Unicef and foreign institutions Islamabad could become able to control violence against children effectively.

End.

Reader Comments:

Curbing violence against children

This is in context of P.M. Shaukat Aziz's address to the UNICEF session (May 20, 2005).
The issue of the welfare of our children needs better attention and tangible measures. Very little progress is visible and it is for media to sharpen its focus by continuously showing the true picture to the public. As for the remedy, too much responsibility is placed on the government. There is a saying in America that "governments have no money for welfare work, except what it first takes from the taxpayers and then "pretend" to spend some of it, while a lot is wasted in the handling." So, how to go about pursuing this vital issue? The first step suggested here is that main-
stream political parties create a special cell for it in their secretariats. Where politics are mushroomed, attempt should be made to coordinate to avoid wastage and malpractices in spending money. For instance, Eidhi Foundation is doing laudable service. Eidhi's hands should be strengthened. Leaving the welfare implementation in the hands of too many organisations leads to tussels and friction in the society. It is no pride that, for instance, MQM is doing more than the JI, or the Memons and the Chinioties and the Aga Khanis are better than the others. We must try to create a national immage and do not seek political mileage or publicity from out of such a noble cause. It is suggested to create a separate autonomous "authority" of the "Baitul Mal". Here part of money collected from Zakat together with voluntary contributions should be placed with the "baitul Mal" and accounts to be annually audited to avoid frauds. Islam abhors publicity in doing good and pious deeds. But, our welfare organisations, to our shame, vie with each other in singing their own songs. Beggary is part of children's neglectand abuse. Let us spare the polity from handling this matter. More stalwarts in the role model of Eidhi should be encouraged to take the stage. Sermons to be made in mosques to promote children's welfare. Advertising agencies can spare a little space on billboards for portraying same message for public audience. Most effective are the electronic media. Dramas and features should be presented to create awareness and help from the public for this cause. Here, it is worth mentioning that the Qur'an offers a salivating return on spending for welfare causes. It guarantees 700 times return on per unit of money spent in the cause of welfare. In fact Allah can even increase the return manifold. The mainstream political parties can play a vital role in that these uktimately form the government. In the first place legislature can be made to curb prolifiration in politics and restrictions on collecting money by all and sundry. It is repeated that little progress is on view for the welfare of children. Shaukat Aziz and madame Zubaida Jalal can only grace meetings and functions in regard to welfare of children. Let them have this pride and privilege. But there is need for such activists as Eidhy to plunge into the welfare of our children. It is no exhggeration that people can pour money in this cause than can be handled by the organisers. Ask Eidhy to confirm this statement!

Sher Mohammad, Pakistan - 17 July, 2005

good website

this is the first time i came across your website.
For persons away from home , these are very informative , and i hope you progress enough to gain the support of the whole of our community --pakistani overseas workers.

ANWARUL HAQUE, San Marino - 20 April, 2006

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