Punjab to launch ‘Feed the Mother’ programme

LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Col (R) Hashim Dogar said the Punjab government is going to introduce a programme ‘Feed the Mother’ in three districts of Punjab soon.

He was addressing a seminar organised by Population Welfare Department titled “Over-Population in Punjab: a situation needing urgent attention”. The minister said monthly stipends would be given to the laborer feeding mothers for two years so they could stay at home and feed the child. It will not only be the cause of better health but also mothers would be able to give attention in the upbringing of the child.

Secretary Population Welfare Bushra Amman, Director General Population Welfare Naeem-ud-Din Rathore, Allama Shahzad Ahmed Mujadadi and member Punjab bar council Farah Ijaz Baig were also present. The minister said increasing population was a serious problem of Pakistan and this programme would be helpful in controlling the population by giving natural gap in the birth of children. He stressed the role of religious clerics in creating awareness among masses.

The minister also said the Punjab government was also pondering to increase the age limit of marriage for girls from 16 to 18 years.