Condemning the selective attitude of Western powers towards application of human rights, the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has observed that there was a need to get rid of status quo and suitably check the abuse of power to stop violations of human rights in the country.
In its report, the committee headed by Senator Afrasiab Khattak recommended the government adopt a suitable legislation to prosecute government officials involved in missing and abduction cases. It said the Anti-Terrorism Act may be overhauled in true letter and spirit and be implemented as soon as possible.
“Suitable amendments in the laws may be made in the laws for making the law enforcing officials accountable before the elected representative as well as courts. The country is in high stage of insurgency, therefore government should construct high security prisons for terrorists and separate prisons for common prisoners,” it proposed. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should provide assistance/NOC for installation of jammers in prisons to control the activities of prisoners. “WAPDA should exempt the prisons from night load shedding,” it added.
The committee expressed concern over the violation of human rights in Swat and FATA, drone attacks as well as news items about stationing of US marines in Islamabad under the guise of embassy staff and stressed the need for safeguarding territorial and national sovereignty of the country at all costs.
