Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that training, education and proper care of children is essential for the progress and prosperity of the country. He said that it is the collective responsibility of the society to play its due role for elimination of child labour and grooming of children.
In a message on World Day against Child Labour, the chief minister said that the purpose of observing this day is to rid the country’s children of child labour and provide them maximum opportunities of education so that a bright future could be ensured to them.
He said that Punjab government has undertaken effective legislation for curbing child labour and has taken comprehensive measures for this purpose. He said that Punjab has taken a lead over other provinces with regard to legislation against child labour and its effective implementation.
Sharif said that a vigorous campaign is continuing successfully for the elimination of child labour from industrial and trade organisations especially brick kilns. Child labour has almost been curbed from brick kilns in the province, he said. He said that due to this step of the provinicial government, the trend of child labour at hotels, workshops, petrol pumps and factories is decreasing and it is hoped that it will soon be rooted out. He said that all-out resources are being made available for the education of the children who work at brick kilns.
He said that efforts for elimination of child labour are a form of worship and there is a need to work as a team for achievement of this objective. He said that complete eradication of child labour is the mission of the government and no effort will be spared in this regard. The chief minister said that World Day against Child Labour demands that all segments of the society should play their due role in this regard so that this evil could be curbed.
CM directs arrangements to cope with possible floods:
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made in advance to cope with the monsoon season and possible floods. He said that the concerned departments should remain alert and that provincial and federal institutions should work in a coordinated manner.
The chief minister said that best arrangements should be made this year as well to meet any emergent situation. The chief minister directed that the authorities should perform their duties with effective coordination, adding that the cabinet committee on flood should keep a close contact with meteorological department and obtain latest information regarding weather situation on a daily basis.
The chief minister said that construction and repair work of embankments should be completed as soon as possible. He said that he will personally monitor precautionary arrangements against monsoon and possible flood. He further directed the health department to stock medicines in abundance especially anti-venom vaccine for the treatment of snakebite. He said that civil defence organisation should remain active to meet any untoward situation. He said that the inspection of embankments and spurs should be completed at the earliest and the cabinet committee should take indiscriminate action against those who illegally cause beaches in embankments.
The chief minister said that modern methods should be adopted for strengthening of embankments and spurs while de-watering sets should be in working condition.