Govt committed to ensure protection of human rights: Mazari tells NA

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Monday that the government is committed to ensure protection and promotion of human rights with special focus on the rights of women and girls.

Responding to a question, Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari said a toll-free helpline 1099 for legal advice on human rights violations has been established to facilitate the women’s access to justice under certain laws. She said trained lawyers have been deputed to respond to all such cases online and free of cost.

Replying a question, Minister for Power Division Omar Ayub clarified that no load-shedding is being enforced by Lahore Electric Supply Company. Parliamentary Secretary on Foreign Affairs Andleeb Abbas, responding to a question, said the government has decided to establish Pakistan Missions in Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Uganda and Djibouti in pursuance of its policy of ‘Look Africa’ and strategic engagements with African countries to enhance exports to the continent.

At the outset of the session, the House offered fateha for the departed souls of Col Mujeebur Rehman, who was martyred in an operation against terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan, former Mayor Karachi Naimatullah Khan, the passengers died in various accidents in Skardu, Bagh in Azad Kashmir, and those who died in a building collapse in Karachi.

The lawmakers prayed for Muslims martyred in India and Occupied Kashmir at the hands of Indian forces. They also prayed for Muslims who died of coronavirus across the globe.

The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the attacks of Hindu extremists on peaceful protestors in India especially New Delhi against controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019.

The resolution moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan condemned communal violence against Muslims in India. It urged the government of Pakistan to raise this matter in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and UN Security Council compelling India to ensure the security of Muslims and minorities, prevent human rights violations and take strict action against the culprits.

The Lowe House passed four bills. These include “The Legal Aid and Justice Authority Bill, 2020”, “The National Counter Terrorism Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2020”, “The Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020” and “The Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Bill, 2020”.