Make law to declare crime against children non-bailable offence: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed that Prosecution Department should actively perform its duties for early disposal of cases sub judice and legislation should be made for declaring crime against children a non-bailable offence.

Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of steering committee on missing children, here Tuesday. He expressed satisfaction over the efforts for the recovery or return of missing children to their homes and said that steps in this regard should be continued in a professional manner. He said the measures taken for the recovery or return of missing children to their homes were commendable and it was due to prompt and effective steps taken by the Punjab government that positive results had been achieved. He said a plan should be evolved for enrolment of beggar children and effective steps taken for welfare and rehabilitation of such children.

The chief minister said that beggary was not destiny of children and they should be made useful citizens. He said an effective strategy be evolved for elimination of beggary after looking into all aspects. The meeting was informed that 18 children had been returned to their homes or being recovered during last six days.

Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Jahangir Khanzada MPA, chief secretary, Advocate General Punjab, Chairperson Child Protection and Welfare Bureau, Saba Sadiq MPA, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home, senior police officers besides officers concerned were present.