ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Wednesday showed concern over the severe violations of human rights during the recent years and directed that law enforcement agencies may take stringent measures to stop such violence especially political victimisation.

The meeting of the National Assembly’s Human Rights Committee was chaired by Sahibzada Mohammad Hamid Raza.

While international forums such as US Congress have been criticising Pakistan over the bleak situation of law and order, similar voices were raised on Wednesday from the floor of a parliamentary committee.

Participants were of the view that if rights of parliamentarians cannot be ensured, how the rights of general public can be protected in the country. They were talking about the incident of arrest of parliamentarians, a few months ago, from the limits of the Parliament House by individuals who even did not reveal their identity.

On the other hand, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also seemed to be helpless over the issue.

The committee, which held its meeting in Parliament House, urged upon the need for effective legislation to safeguard the rights of parliamentarians as it had been observed that politicians had to be disgraced in illegal cases with the change of regime.

The committee also expressed concern over the rapid cases of abusing child and women in the country and directed that Ministry of Human Rights may provide complete detail of ladies and children prisoners in the next meeting.

Taking notice of the reports regarding miserable conditions of the prisoners, the committee also decided to visit to Mahkama-i-jail-khaana-jaat along with media to witness the ground realities of the prisoners.

The committee deferred the briefing of the ministry of human rights and its attached departments till its next meeting due to absence of the minister and secretary concerned.

The meeting was attended by the MNAs Danyal Chaudhary, Rasheed Ahmad Khan, Ms Zeb Jaffar, Ms Wajiha Qamar, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Dr Nelson Azeem, Ms Sehar Kamran, Ali Muhammad, Muhammad Riaz Khan, Ms. Zartaj Gul (through video link) Ms. Shahida Rehmani and mover of “The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2024” Ms. Sharmila Sahiba Faruqui Hashaam. .- Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2024