LOWER DIR: Syed Qasim Ali Shah, the provincial minister for Zakat and Ushr, social welfare and special education and women empowerment, has said that children are the future of the country and government will take practical steps for their welfare. He was addressing a ceremony in Timergara here on Tuesday. The ceremony was held to inaugurate construction and upgradation of government institute for children with hearing and speech impairment from primary to high level. The secretary of social welfare, Syed Nazar Hussain Shah, the deputy commissioner, Mohammad Arif Khan, the director of social welfare, Rafiq Khan Mohmand, the district officer social welfare, Mohammad Zeb, teachers and local elders were also present on the occasion. The minister was briefed about the facilities being provided to special children. He was informed that social welfare department was running eight handicraft centres, a special education school in Timergara and a special education complex in Kharkani Ouch, and a drug rehabilitation centre in Balambat in the district. The minister said that provincial government was trying to serve suffering humanity. “Of course, there are shortcomings and problems, but if there is a vision to move forward and solve the problems, then Allah Almighty will definitely help us,” he said. He announced plans to provide transport facility to the school of special children. He said that a joint action plan would be devised with local elected representatives for the social welfare project and it would be sent to chief minister for approval.