ISLAMABAD - The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education remained fail to get approval of its much awaited legislation as the cabinet on Wednesday deferred discussion on the 'National Child Protection Policy, 'National Commission on the Rights of Children Bill and the 'Child Protection (Criminal Law Amendment) Bill till next meeting. The federal cabinet met with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani in chair and discussed 19 agenda items. But contrary to the expectations of the Ministry its all three bills were not discussed. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education after struggle of three years succeeded in submitting the two bills including one on the child rights. The three proposed bills were submitted to the cabinet during last month, but could not be placed in the two consecutive meetings held after submission of the two bills. Earlier, all the formalities regarding finalisations of the 'Child Protection Bill were completed, however, delay in moving the bill occurred due to the Punjab government, which lately forwarded its concurrence on the said Bill. After incorporating inputs of the Punjab government, the ministry forwarded the summary to the cabinet, as it wanted to get it approved as soon as possible. While talking to TheNation an official of the Ministry opined that if the three proposed bills were approved and implemented in an effective manner in the country then it would bring a positive change in the plight of children, whose right are exploited at all levels. The Child Protection Bill if passed, will be implemented only in Islamabad Capital Territory, whereas the National Child Protection Policy when approved will be extended all over the country he noted. Child Protection Bill has been formulated, as the existing laws were limited in scope and also ambiguous to provide protection to the children vulnerable to violence, sexual abuse and exploitation. Child Protection Bill is aimed at harmonising the national legislation with international frameworks such as the 'Convention on the Rights of the Child etc. The bill will help improve the plight of millions of children living under difficult circumstances, as child sexual abuse is the lowest explored and least acknowledged form of child abuse in Pakistan. It is worth to mention here that around 78 types of laws exist in Pakistan that in a way or other protect child rights but still there is no such particular law that directly and fully provides protection to the eight million children in the country.