The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill for the establishment of National Human Rights Commission for protection and promotion of fundamental human rights in the country.
Adviser to the prime minister on human rights, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, presented the National Commission for Human Rights Bill, 2011 which was passed unanimously with adoption of certain amendments put forth by the opposition.
Under the bill, the federal government would constitute the commission, headed by a chairperson qualified to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court or high court with known interest and experience in the field of human rights, while the chairperson would only be removed if the government would send a reference, like that in the case of a judge.
The chairperson would be appointed for four years, while one member from each province, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Gilgit-Baltistan and the federal capital, two members from minority communities would constitute the body.
The commission’s secretary, to be appointed by the federal government, shall be a person qualified to be appointed as federal secretary. The commission will also include three female members.
A member shall not be less than 30 years of age and shall be known for knowledge and experience in human rights. Headquarter of the commission will be in the Islamabad and it may establish its offices at all provincial headquarters and at such others place it may consider appropriate.
The chairperson and other member shall be appointed by the president on advice of the prime minister.
For each vacancy of chairperson or member, the federal government shall, after consultation with relevant stakeholders in fair and transparent manner, recommend and submit to the prime minister three names.
The function and power of the commission include inquire into or take suo motu action on a petition submitted by a victim or any person on his behalf into complaint of violation of human rights.
The members of the commission could visit any jail or any other institution under the control of the government where convicts or under-trial prisoners are serving their sentences.
The commission will also review the safeguard provided by or under the constitution or any law for the time being in force for the protection of human rights and recommend adaptation of new legislation and the amendment of administrative measures for their effective implementation.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Industries and Production Khwaja Sheraz said the government was making all out efforts to control the increase in the current account deficit of $2.1 billion.
To a calling attention notice moved by Muhammad Pervaiz Malik, Nuzhat Sadiq and others regarding an increase in the current account deficit to $2.1 billion, the minister hoped that the current account deficit would be brought down significantly in remaining seven month of the current fiscal year.
Also, a 27-member Afghan parliamentary delegation, including three women, witnessed National Assembly proceedings. Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi welcomed the delegation.
