Prime Minister (PM) Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday approved the Ministry of Human Rights’ proposal to appoint Human Rights Defenders in the ministry.
This decision was taken by the prime minister after a presentation was made by the Ministry of Human Rights, in which the later briefed the PM regarding its performance.
Welcoming the proposal for including human rights as a subject in educational institutions, he directed the ministry to present a detailed working paper for the cabinet.
The PM directed Advisor to Prime Minister on Human Rights Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar to work harder, so that the government can effectively implement its international and constitutional obligations in letter and spirit.
“Islam has always laid great emphasis on human rights, but now that the international community is supporting it financially, it has become all the more important,” he said.
He recalled that the Ministry of Human Rights was established during the PPP government in 1995 which speaks volumes about the commitment of the party to the cause of human rights.
The PM was informed that the government has ratified seven international treaties and the ministry is actively working on necessary legislative and administrative measures to implement the obligations that accrue as a result of Pakistan’s treaty obligations. He was also informed that the ministry has so far received 1886 cases of human rights violations this year.
“Due to the efforts of the ministry, the government ratified international treaties like Committee Against Torture (CAT) and recognised the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This sent a clear message to the international community that Pakistan is serious and committed in upholding human rights,” said Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar. Human Rights Secretary Shaigan Shareef informed the Prime Minister that Pakistan has been elected as a member of United Nations Human Rights Council for three years after it secured 171 votes.