National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been directed to accept as authenticated its registration forms for children (B-Forms) which are verified-recommended by Edhi Trust and other registered child homes for issuance of CNICs, passports, etc., he said.
The Interior Minister was talking at Bilquees Edhi Child Home in Clifton here. Maulana Abdul Sattar Edhi, Mrs Bilquees Edhi and Ahmed Edhi, grandson of Maulana Edhi were also present.
Malik said the issue of registration of abandoned children sheltered by Edhi Trust and similar other registered organizations stood un-resolved for the last 30 years. Maulana Abdul Sattar Edhi had contacted him (Malik) to find a solution.
"I put up this very important issue before President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani who extended full support and were kind enough to relax the NADRA registration rules for these children. Now, NADRA would not ask for any information about their families but verification by these registered shelter homes."
"I am very thankful to the President and Prime Minister for resolving very critical and long standing issue," Rehman Malik said adding that these are Pakistani chidden and how they could be deprived of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to the citizens of the country.
Rehman Malik also announced that he would table a bill in the Parliament for the approval of 10 percent employment quota in government jobs for these children.
He also handed over a cheque of rupees half a million to Abdul Sattar and Mrs Bilquees Edhi as government support for Bilquees Edhi Child Home.