Govt bans adoption of quake orphans
By Zulfiqar Ahmad

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday said the government would take care of all the children injured in the devastating earthquake and no one would be allowed to adopt any child.
Talking to newsmen after visiting Federal Government Services Hospital and National Institute of Special Education here in the federal capital, the Prime Minister said there are 1000 injured children in different hospitals here.
The Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz along with his wife visited the hospitals and enquired about the health of injured children and women admitted to the local hospitals.
The Prime Minister said the injured children in the hospital of the federal capital are from Azad Kashmir, Mansehra and other affected areas.
He said most of these children were rescued by Pakistan Army while many others were rescued by NGOs and local poulation.
The Prime Minister said most of the children are with their parents or relatives but some of them are without any relative. He, however, said adoption of these children is completely banned and government had already issued clear instructions in this regard.
Shaukat Aziz said the government would first make sincere efforts to find the parents or relatives of those children who are here in the hospitals and if no one would be found, then the government would take their responsibility. He said all the hospitals had been directed that the children should not be adopted by any one as these are the asset of the country.
The Prime Minister said the children are being provided with best possible treatment and counselling so that they could lead normal life without any delay.
He lauded the efforts of Ministry of Health and Ministry ofSpecial education for providing best possible treatment to the children.
He also appreciated the devotion and zeal of the people to help their brothers in the need of hour and said the sense of caring and sharing with these victims had united the nation.
The Prime Minister said besides shifting the injured to major hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the government has also established 17 field hospitals in various areas to provide immediate medical treatment at the spot.
He said so far the death toll is 38,000 but it could rise when the inaccessible areas would be accessed. The Prime Minister said now the relief teams have started reaching the remote affected areas in Azad Kashmir and providing relief goods and evacuating the injured.
Shaukat Aziz appreciated the efforts of Minister for Special Education Zubaida Jalal and asked her to be prepare for 400 children who are being discharged from the hospitals.
Earlier, the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz along with his wife Rukshsana Aziz first visited Federal Government Services Hospital where they went around different Children wards and enquired about health of the children.
Minister of Health Naseer Khan and Secretary Health Syed Anwar Mahmood were also present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister was informed that 866 patients are under treatment in the Hospital which include 468 male and 398 female.
He was informed that 147 children were admitted in the hospital and out of which 90 are still here and getting treatment.
The Prime Minister and his wife announced to provide Rs. 1000 and one pair of clothes to every child before being discharged from the hospital.
He especially asked the children and their relatives about the treatment being provided to them, and they said they are being looked after properly.
Later, the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz along with his wife visited National Institute of Special Education, where Minister for Special Education Mrs. Zubaida Jalal received them.
The Prime Minister was informed that 50 children had been admitted in the Institute where volunteers including girl guides and boy scouts are helping them.
Zubaida Jalal informed the Prime Minister that doctors and para-medical staff is available in the Institute to provide any sort of treatment while meal is also being provided to the children and their relatives.
The Prime Minister and his wife distributed gifts of biscuits, chocolates and toys among the children on this occasion.
The children and their relatives thanked the Prime Minister and the government for providing them best possible treatment in the Institute and for taking proper care.
The Prime Minister appreciating the devotion and dedication of volunteers and NGOs said it is the collective responsibility of the nation to help victims of the earthquake.
Mrs. Zubaida Jalal told the Prime Minister said the Ministry of Special Education has other centres, where more children would be accommodated.
The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Army for bringing these children to Islamabad by helicopters especially from the remote and inaccessible areas like Chakhoti, Bagh and other damaged areas.
He saluted the courage of Pakistan army jawans for rescuing these children and finding their parents as most of the children are with their parents or relatives.