Moaz Nasir
The Standing Committee on Human Rights convened at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, MNA. The session commenced with the Committee extending New Year greetings to the nation and praying for Pakistan’s prosperity and resolution of its challenges.
Call for Political Stability
The Committee underscored the urgent need for both Treasury and Opposition benches to adopt significant measures to ensure political stability, which is crucial for Pakistan’s swift progress. The Chairman emphasized that political stability is the cornerstone of national development and urged all political factions to work together for the greater good of the country.
“Political stability is not just a necessity but a prerequisite for economic growth and social harmony,” said Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza. “We must put aside our differences and focus on the collective progress of our nation.”
Criticism of Ministry of Human Rights
Expressing dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Human Rights’ performance, the Committee highlighted its failure to effectively protect citizens’ rights. The Committee noted that despite numerous reports and complaints, the Ministry had not taken substantial actions to address human rights violations across the country.
“The Ministry of Human Rights has not lived up to its mandate,” said one Committee member. “We need a proactive approach to safeguard the rights of our citizens, and this requires better coordination with other governmental bodies.”
The Committee directed the Ministry to establish better coordination with the Ministry of Interior to safeguard the rights of ordinary citizens. This issue was deferred for further discussion in the next meeting, with the Committee expecting a detailed action plan from the Ministry.
Incident of November 26, 2024
The Committee also voiced its displeasure over the incident on November 26, 2024, in Islamabad, which had raised significant concerns about the safety and security of citizens. The incident, which involved a violent clash between protestors and law enforcement, resulted in several injuries and highlighted the need for better crowd control measures.
The Committee decided to summon the Inspector General (IG) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Islamabad for a detailed briefing in the next session. “We need to understand what went wrong and how such incidents can be prevented in the future,” said the Chairman.
Visit to Adyala Jail
Additionally, the Committee planned a visit to Adyala Jail next week to inspect the facilities provided to prisoners. The visit aims to ensure that the rights of prisoners are being upheld and that they are receiving adequate care and support.
“Prisoners are also citizens of this country, and their rights must be protected,” said a Committee member. “We will ensure that the facilities at Adyala Jail meet the required standards.”
Attendance and Participation
The meeting was attended by several prominent MNAs, including Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Zeb Jaffar, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Sabheen Ghoury, Muhammad Riaz Fatyana, Gohar Ali Khan, Zartaj Gul (via video link), Dr. Nelson Azeem, Sehar Kamran, Wajiha Qamar, Shahida Rehmani, and mover Sharmila Sahiba Faruqui Hashaam. Their active participation and contributions were crucial in addressing the various issues discussed during the session.
Reported by Moaz Nasir, Special Correspondent, Islamabad.
The World Wide
){kind=link}