The National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights recommended on Thursday that there was no need for Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to seek advice from National Assembly Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan before finalising any appointments of chairperson and other members of the National Commission for Human Rights, as the committee approved The National Commission for Human Rights Bill of 2011.
The committee passed the bill with minor amendments for creation of a National Commission for Human Rights. On June 6, 2011, a sub-committee on human rights formed with Dr Attiya Inayatullah as convener had proposed that the prime minister should seek the advice of the opposition leader before finalising any such appointment. Under the approved draft, for each appointment, the Human Rights Ministry shall submit three names to the prime minister after consultation with relevant stakeholders and the president would act on the advice of the prime minister to make these appointments. The chairperson shall be a person qualified to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court or a high court with known interest and experience in the field of human rights.
The commission shall consist of one member from each province and one each from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Gilgit-Baltistan and the Islamabad Capital Territory. Two members would be included from minorities.
