HYDERABAD, April 28 Sindh Minister for Social Welfare Nargis N. D. Khan has said that the government in collaboration with the UAE has prepared a plan for rehabilitation of children used as jockeys in camel race in the Gulf state who have been brought back to Pakistan.

She was talking to journalists at a ceremony to distribute cheques of financial aid among the victim children at the local Circuit House.

Mrs Khan said that 133 children, who were smuggled to the UAE to participate in camel race, had been got repatriated by the government of Pakistan.

She said that the UAE Government had provided $0.133 million through Unicef and $1,000 had been deposited in the bank account of each child. She said that the interest of that amount would be given to the parents of the children and the total amount would be given to the children when they attained the age of 18 years.

Answering a question, she said that majority of repatriated children belonged to Rahim Yar Khan district, Punjab, who were either smuggled or sent by their relatives.

She said that the government, after considering that the amount was inadequate, had approached the UAE government to seek more funds for proper rehabilitation of the victims.

Answering another question, Mrs Khan said that a bill for establishment of a child protection authority had been submitted to the Sindh government and a scheme to provide residential facilities to street children had been submitted to the federal government. She added that the steps would protect basic rights of children.

Answering yet another question, she said that majority of the country's children did not go to schools because their parents were illiterate and poor. However, the government had offered some incentives and re-opened closed schools to ensure more enrolment in schools, she added.

Later, the minister paid a surprise visit to Darul Aman in Qasimabad where she took notice of unhygienic conditions and lack of drainage, water supply and adequate food facilities. She warned the Darul Aman management to improve the situation immediately failing which strict action would be taken against them.

She also took round of the Darul Aman, met with inmates and inquired about their problems. The minister directed the administration to constitute a committee to get the problems of the inmates solved.

Later, she visited Darul Atfal in Qasimabad and inspected facilities being provided to orphan children.

She inquired about their problems and directed the administration of the children's shelter to take proper care of the children.?