PESHAWAR: Friesland Campina and University of Education, Punjab, on Tuesday launched ‘School milk program’ for providing free milk to students of 89 primary schools in Attack and Shaikhupura districts.
University of Education Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said that unfortunately Pakistan is one of the countries where a large number of young children are suffering from malnutrition. Pasha said that in the first phase, milk will be provided to students for six months in selected schools.
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Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfaraz appreciated the initiative of University of Education, saying that it will help in the proper growth of school going children. Provincial Minister for Livestock Hasnain Bahadur Dareshk and Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Yawar Abbas Bukhari also assured full support to the program.
Addressing the function, Punjab Minister for Livestock and dairy production Sardar Hasnain Bahadur Dareshk said that it is the first program of its kind in Punjab launched with the support of University of Education, Veterinary University and a dairy company, Friesland Campina. He said initially, free milk will be provided daily to children studying in 89 primary schools in two districts of Punjab, Sheikhupura and Attock for six months.
“Milk is a complete diet for children and very important for children growth,” he said. Adding that malnutrition in Pakistani children is alarmingly high, thus, this program will be helpful in fighting malnutrition.
Dareshak further said that the media should also play its role in highlighting the benefits of this important project and the harms of malnutrition in children. An MoU was also signed between Veterinary University, University of Education and Friesland Campina at the inauguration ceremony of the project and guests also distributed milk cartons to the children participating in the program.
The ‘School milk program’ will cost Rs8.5 million.