HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Commissioner Fayaz Hussain Abbasi has emphasised the need for a dedicated shelter facility in Hyderabad for abandoned girls, saying that stronger institutional support is required to ensure their safety. He also directed the officials concerned to strengthen and empower the Dar-ul-Atfal and Child Protection Unit (CPU).
He was chairing a meeting of the Social Protection Unit Committee in his office here on Friday. It reviewed performance of the committee with a strong emphasis on strengthening institutional coordination and protection mechanisms for vulnerable women and children.
The meeting also reviewed matters relating to arrangements for the shelter home building, its maintenance, rehabilitation of vulnerable children, besides an improved coordination among the departments and stakeholders concerned.
The officials who attended the meeting included Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abideen Memon, Assistant Commissioner (General) Saima Noor, head of the Child Protection Unit Shiza Fatima, DSPs Paras and Zain Raza, AD Local Government Marvi Soomro, representatives of various NGOs and officials of relevant departments.
Hyderabad commissioner calls for establishing dedicated shelter facility for abandoned girls
The meeting reviewed issues relating to protection and welfare of women and children, particularly orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children. It also reviewed functioning of shelter homes, CPU and coordination among departments and other stakeholders.
Social Welfare officials briefed the meeting that in a recent case, an 18-year-old girl was recovered with the assistance of police and shifted to a hospital for medical treatment.
They said that women and children seeking protection were initially provided shelter and, where necessary, referred to appropriate institutions for further care, protection and rehabilitation.
Commissioner Abbasi stressed that cases involving protection and welfare of women and children must not be overlooked. He directed departments to jointly identify orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children, take timely protective measures and arrange shelter and rehabilitation according to their needs.
He said NGOs and stakeholders should be effectively engaged to reinforce the child protection network. A division-level meeting should be convened to comprehensively review the role of social welfare department and responsibilities of institutions.
Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2026
