KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly was on 13th September 2024 informed that the Sindh Child Protection Authority was working in close coordination with the provincial police to conduct anti-child beggary drive for rescuing children who were forced to be involved in this worst form of child labour.
Furnishing statement and replies of lawmakers’ written and verbal queries during Question Hour, Social Welfare Minister Tariq Ali Talpur said the organised beggary was a business of multi-million rupees and it was not easy to eradicate the menace, though the provincial government was “making all possible” efforts to contain that.
He said that child beggars were rescued and shifted to the Shelter Home for Destitute and Orphan Children, Malir, which had a capacity to accommodate 200 children.
He said that the beggar children were provided with support including basic needs such as shelter, food, clothing, healthcare, legal support, counselling, recreational activities to promote physical and mental well-being.
With regards to victims of trafficking, the welfare minister said that the SCPA participated in meetings organised by the Anti-Human Smuggling Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency and submitted monthly report with requisite information.
“Furthermore, SPCA is working to identify and rescue under-18 victims of trafficking in coordination with law enforcement agencies and NGOs to ensure their protection,” he added.
Mr Talpur said that the management of the Shelter Home for Destitute and Orphans was providing comprehensive support to the rescued children, including informal education, to rehabilitate street children and child victims of trafficking to readjust them back into society.
Replying to a question, he said that as many as 30 child protection units had been established across the province to address the cases of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation against children.
Besides, he said, 14 Senior Citizen Centres were under construction in districts Central and Korangi of Karachi, Tharparkar, Sanghar, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Naushahro Feroze, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sujawal, Umarkot, Shikarpur and Dadu.
Responding to another question, the minister said that the number of people treated and presently under treatment for drug addiction at different rehabilitation centres from 2018 to 2023 was 33,185.
Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2024