KHAR: Steps are underway for the welfare of orphaned and poor children of the tribal areas to make them useful citizens of the society.

The federal government upon the request of tribal lawmakers has decided to initiate welfare schemes for orphaned children, Senator Hidayatullah Khan told reporters during a visit to Al-Huda Centre for Orphans in Khar on Sunday.

He said orphan children deserved help and that he would continue making efforts to provide basic needs of life to them.

The senator claimed the federal government had assured him of making result oriented efforts to improve standard of living for orphaned children by providing them free education, health and other basic amenities.

Hidayatullah Khan claimed the federal government would establish several orphan centres in the tribal areas to provide quality education to children.

He said he had also advised officials of the local administration to spend major part of his development funds on welfare of poor children.

Bajaur assistant political agent Sohil Ahemd Khan and senior officials accompanied the senator during the visit.

Earlier, Ali Sardar, chairman of the orphanage, informed the visitors about the number of orphaned students and facilities being provided in the centre, established in 2010.

He said number of orphans had increased in the agency during the last several years owing to militancy.

He said though the institution was registered with the social welfare department of Fata secretariat, it was running with people`s donations.