ISLAMABAD - International Police Association (IPA), the largest police association in the world with over 400,000 members, has demanded the UN declare April 12 international day for street children.
This demand was formally made in a general body meeting of IPA held here on Friday under the chairmanship of Muhammad Shaoib Suddle. The meeting was attended among others by IGP Islamabad Sikandar Hayat, AIG (Operations) Dr Sultan Azam Temuri, DIG Haleena Iqbal, Secretary IPA, Ashfaq Ahmad Khan, SSP Sajid Kiani, SP Jamil Ahmed Hashmi, Director IT Islamabad Police Saleem Raza Sheikh and DO Child protection Bureau Rawalpindi Sana Kanwal.
A press note issued from office of IPA stated on Friday that, participants strongly supported the action of the consortium for street children to make them responsible citizens and chair apprised the participants that purpose of this meeting is to discuss the ways and means of consortium for street children and to suggest measures to curb the issue of children rights violation in effective and befitting manner.
As this menace is spreading like a plague disease day by day, millions of children around the street is a reality, Shoaib Suddle said, adding it is utmost essential that measure may be envisioned and struggle may be initiated to spread awareness about the issue of street children rights among the general public.
Furthermore, they initiated a petition in order to appeal to the UN to officially recognise and adopt April 12 as day for street children. Suddle said it would enable our politicians and governments to take concrete measures in order to help these children.
The other issues discussed in the meeting were hand in hand to support consortium for street children; new enrolment for IPA; renewal of membership; improvement of website; facilities of IPA members and capacity building of police.
The meeting also recommended forwarding a request to PEMRA authorities to telecast promo/messages regarding consortium of street children from the air-time/funds reserved for public message.
It was decided that seminars, walks and fun/education activities may be arranged to spread information about the cause among the general public.
It was agreed that efforts might be made to invite attention of members of society to join hands with IPA to work for the esteemed cause. Moreover, information may also be shared via Internet.
It was recommended that Station manager FM92.4 of Islamabad Traffic Police would be entrusted the responsibility to devise a promo for the support of the cause of consortium of street children for telecasting/broadcasting on public and print.
It was decided that a programme may be arranged at child protection bureau to impart training and arrange coaching classes to cherish their skills and to make them a good and responsible citizen. The parents/guardians of habitual beggars may be motivated to keep their children away from this menace and to perform their role in society in gentle manner. It was agreed to identify and recognise the services of such NGOs and individuals working for the similar cause.