Rehab of Taliban-brainwashed children

ISLAMABAD - The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education is seeking to have access to the children, brainwashed by Taliban who were rescued by the security forces during recent military operation in Malakand region. According to official sources, the ministry is consulting with relevant quarters to take charge of these children to rehabilitate them. Presently, these children are being kept in militarys Rehabilitation Centre in Mingora locally called Sabawoon (morning light). Sabawoon was established to look after the young men brainwashed and indoctrinated by Taliban for suicide attacks on security forces and other targets. A dedicated team of specialist is busy in looking after these children. The Ministry has unveiled plans to shift these children to the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Trust being set up by the government for their education and rehabilitation, and has already allocated Rs. 100 million as seed money for the project. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education and Pakistan Baitul Maal are evolving a framework for the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Trust jointly. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Trust are being prepared. However, it has been learnt that the process of negotiation has slowed down because of the absence of two senior officials of the Ministry who are currently on an official visit to Geneva.