PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR

TUESDAY, THE 16THDECEMBER, 2025          

1000  *Mr. Muhammad Daniyal:  

 Will the Minister for Social Welfare be pleased to State:-

What steps have been taken by the government in addressing the issue of child labor in informal sectors such as Agriculture and domestic work?

ANSWER

MIR TARIQ ALI TALPUR, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE:-

The Child labor is primary mandate of Labor Department, Government of Sindh. However, the Sindh Child Protection Authority has taken several steps to address the issues of child labor in informal sectors, such as agriculture and domestic work. These steps include:

The Sindh Child Protection Authority Act 2011 (Amended) has prioritized the protection of children from violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, including child labor and bonded labor. The Sindh Child Protection Authority (SCPA) is operating 30 District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) in 30 Districts of Sindh leading by District Child Protection Officer.

Awareness Campaigns: The SCPA has so farlaunched 2183 awareness campaigns and educated 107,892 people about the negative impacts of Child labor and importance of child rights. These campaigns have been targeted communities, schools, and local organizations to spread awareness about the laws and regulations prohibiting child labor.

Collaboration with Other Agencies: The SCPA collaborates with various government and non-governmental organizations, including the Labor Department, Local Government, Education Department, and international bodies like UNICEF, to create a coordinated approach to combating child labor.

Strengthening Legislation and Enforcement: SCPA works to ensure the implementation of existing child protection laws and advocates for stronger legislation where gaps are identified. This includes stricter penalties for those employing children in hazardous work and enhanced enforcement mechanisms.

Visits at Brick kilns:

To address the issue of Child labor, the team of Sindh Child Protection Authority conducts regular inspections of brick kilns throughout the province of Sindh. These visits aim to identify child laborers and bonded laborers, if any, and to raise awareness about the illegality of bonded labor.

Shelter and Rehabilitation: The Sindh Child Protection Authority is running a Provincial Level Transit Shelter Home for Destitute and Orphan children (Below 18 years of age) in Karachi. The above-mentioned shelter’s management is providing comprehensive rehabilitation services including academics, Computer Training, Vocational training, Recreational activities, etc.

Sindh Child Helpline 1121: Sindh Child Protection Authority promotes the use of 24/7 operational Sindh Child Helpline 1121, where citizens can report instances of child labor. This helpline is managed to ensure prompt response and action.

1118  *Dr. Fouzia Hameed:  

 Will the Minister for Social Welfare be pleased to State:-

(a)      Is it a fact that there is any program to construct rest houses for aged persons in the province;

(b)     If answer to (a) above is affirmative, how much the same has been implemented?

ANSWER

MIR TARIQ ALI TALPUR, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE:-

There are 11 ongoing schemes under construction for old aged persons (Senior Citizen) in different districts of Sindh, namely: Hyderabad, KarchiKorangi, TandoAllahyar, Tharparkar @ Mithi, NuasheroFeroze, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Umerkot.

These all centers for Senior Citizen are under construction.

1121  *Dr. Fouzia Hameed:

 Will the Minister for Social Welfare be pleased to State:-

(a)      Is it a fact that the Social Welfare department operates 126 women welfare centers across Sindh where women can get skill training in knitting, embroidery, cutting, tailoring and sewing;

(b)     What are the details if the reply to (a) above is yes?

ANSWER

MIR TARIQ ALI TALPUR, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE:-

The Social Welfare Department operates (96) Women Welfare Centres across Sindh.

These are running at Taluka level under the supervision of Taluka Social Welfare Committees. These committees are headed by Assistant Commissioner concerned where as Assistant Director, Social Welfare Department has been acting as a Secretary of the said committee. Usually these centres are working on no profit no loss basis for deserving women, to improve the Socio Economic condition of women at rural / grass root level.             

1242  *Mr. Abdul Basit:  

 Will the Minister for Social Welfare be pleased to State:-

What policy changes are expected in 2025 to address emerging social challenges in Sindh?

ANSWER

MIR TARIQ ALI TALPUR, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE:-

The Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh, remains committed to addressing emerging social challenges through policy reforms, program strengthening, and community-focused interventions. The following key policy initiatives and strategic directions are planned in 2025:

1.   Child Protection:

·         Implementation of the Sindh Child Protection Policy (currently in approval process) to strengthen prevention, protection, and rehabilitation services for vulnerable children.

• Expansion of District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), transit shelter Homes, and formation of Community-Based Child Protection Committees (CB-CPCs) for early identification and response to child abuse, child labor, violence against children. trafficking, and other risks.
• Strengthening case management, referral systems, and digital data management tools for child protection services.
• Integration with digital systems of Police, CPLC and FIA for real time coordination and reporting.

2.   Drug Abuse Prevention & Rehabilitation:

• Development of an integrated policy framework for drug abuse prevention, focusing on youth and vulnerable groups, including collaboration with health and law enforcement agencies.
• Expansion of community awareness programs on drug abuse prevention.
• Strengthening of existing rehabilitation centers with enhanced psychosocial support services.

3.   Transgender Rights & Social Inclusion:

• Formulation of welfare schemes fortransgender individuals, focusing on skill development, employment generation, and social protection.
• Establishment of Transgender Welfare Centers offering vocational training, health services, and legal aid in major cities of Sindh.

4.   Elderly Care:

• Introduction of Senior Citizen Policy Guidelines to improve access to healthcare, transport concessions, and welfare benefits for senior citizens.
• Expansion of Senior Citizen Facilitation Centers and provision of recreational and support services for the elderly under the Sindh Senior Citizen Act.

5.   Community Development & Strengthening:

• Launch of community development initiatives focusing on livelihood programs, senior citizen empowerment, and social entrepreneurship through skill training and microfinance linkages.
• Launch of the Pro-poor program for the empowerment of community through training in digital systems.
• Strengthening of poverty alleviation programs in collaboration with provincial and federal agencies to support marginalized communities through income-generating schemes and social safety nets.

6.   Cross-cutting Initiatives:

• Promotion of public-private partnerships to enhance service delivery in all areas.
• Digitalization of welfare services for improved transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement.

The Department is working to align all these initiatives with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the provincial government’s broader vision for inclusive social protection.

• SDG 1: No Poverty (Protection of vulnerable children from poverty-related risks)
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (Child welfare, mental health, and rehabilitation)
• SDG 4: Quality Education (Access to education for vulnerable children)
• SDG 5: Gender Equality (Protection of girls from abuse, child marriage, trafficking)
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth (Employment opportunities and skills development)
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (Digital transformation of welfare services)
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (Promoting social and economic inclusion)
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (Age-friendly services and public facilities)
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Strengthening child protection laws and systems).
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals (Public-private partnerships for service delivery.

1243  *Mr. Abdul Basit:  

 Will the Minister for Social Welfare be pleased to State:-

How many senior citizens were registered and benefitted from the Sindh Senior Citizens Card initiative from 2023 to 2024?

ANSWER

MIR TARIQ ALI TALPUR, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE:-

It is submitted that the report regarding registration from 2023-24 may be treated as nil as NADRA recommended addendum in the contract agreement, therefore, no card was issued in the year 2023-2024.

1245  *Mr. Abdul Basit:  

 Will the Minister for Social Welfare be pleased to State:-

From 2022 to 2024, how many children were housed in government-run shelter homes, and what facilities were provided to them?

ANSWER

MIR TARIQ ALI TALPUR, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE:-

·                From 1st January, 2022 to 31st December 2024, 453 children were housed in the Shelter Home (Lost & Found) for Destitute & Orphan Children, Karachi, under the umbrella of the Sindh Child Protection Authority, Social Welfare Department.

·                64 children were housed in the Darul Atfal Al-Binat, Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh (for girls).

·      66 children were housed in the Darul Atfal Hyderabad, Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh (for boys).

·      62 children were housed in the Darul Atfal Sukkur, Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh (for boys).

During their stay in above-mentioned Shelters/Orphanages the services of shelter, food, healthcare, informal education, including IT training and fine arts, religious education,   recreation, counselling, legal Aid, and family reunification were provided to them.

1354  *Mr. Muhammad Asif Moosa

 Will the Minister for Social Welfare be pleased to State:-

What is the procedure, including fees and specifics, for registering any social welfare organisation?

ANSWER

MIR TARIQ ALI TALPUR, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE:-

Following is the list of steps/procedure regarding registering any social welfare organization including fees and specifics:

§  Application for approval of name.

§  Form “B” (founder members)

§  Constitution duly signed & stamped by the President/General Secretary (both).

§  District Wise Office Branches.

§  Organization Structure of Provincial Executive Committee.

§  Plan of Operation.

§  Minutes of Meeting.

§  Photocopies of CNICs of all founder members (each).

§  NOC from landlord (Affidavit of Rs.50).

§  Affidavit of Rs.100/- declaring that:

a)         The NGO is not already registered with any other Authority.

b)        The NGO shall not be involved in any subversive activities.

c)         The account of NGO will be operated in one bank only.

d)        The office bearers shall abide by the all rules of constitution.

e)         The NGO shall not get any kind of foreign funds / donation etc, without the permission of Registration Authority.

§  Challan for Registration fees  of Rs.10000/- (any National Bank of Pakistan)

§  After obtaining Feasibility Report from concerned District, the case is to be submitted to Home department on the basis of information for NOC

After the completion of this entire process, the Registration Authority issues Registration Certificate accordingly.

KARACHI:                                                                 G.M UMAR FAROOQ

DATED THE 15TH DECEMBER, 2025                             SECRETARY

                                                                        PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH