Federal Minister of Education Shafqat Mehmood launched a school lunch program for 25,000 students from 100 federal public primary schools under the School Carna Scheme on Wednesday. Meals are provided by the Allah Walla Trust, which guarantees quality standards to meet the dietary needs of students. Minister Shafqat thanked Allah Wale Trust and said the program would be extended to other schools. He said many students did not come to school because of poverty, and many did not have breakfast.
According to the minister, the plan will not only ensure student attendance but also ensure children’s health. He said he met with UNICEF’s director and expressed the government’s will to extend this free school lunch model to other schools. Regional Trust Chairman Shahid Lawn said food is being delivered to food malls to provide nutritious food to children. Meanwhile, Punjab’s Education Minister, Dr. Murad Raas, said the free meal program has been expanded from 20 to 30 in Lahore through a public-private partnership. He said the government would increase the number of such schools to 100. Minister said the plan would improve student health. Dr. Raas invited philanthropists to a free food program.
