2-day dialogue on ECD concludes.

ISLAMABAD -- National Dialogue on Early Childhood Development Policy on Thursday urged promoting investment in children's early years for sustainable growth in Pakistan.

The week marked the conclusion of the two-day National Dialogue on Early Childhood Development (ECD) convened by the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), to emphasise the importance of investing in children's early years, the foundation for lifelong development.

The international consultation brought together 80 senior officials from different federal and provincial ministries as well as world experts in ECD. They reflected on the current situation of young children and families and discussed the implications for the development of a multi-sectoral ECD Policy Framework. This will guide the provinces in their work on ECD: one of the key global strategies and priorities to achieve social and economic equity.

'This consultation is a priority for the government because it is about the future of the new generations in Pakistan,' said Dr. Zafar Mirza, State Minister of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

'In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Imran Khan mentioned the detrimental impact of malnutrition and stunting on children's...