The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights has recommended to restore the ministry of human rights as an independent ministry.
The sub-committee was presided over by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed at the Parliament House on Tuesday. The sub-committee has also been tasked to summarise the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s report 2012-13 and finalise its recommendations and report within one month by the first month of August.
The committee also recommended to constitute ‘Journalist Defence Fund’ to help journalist victims of violence and terrorism besides creating a ministry of disaster management given the high number of IDPs due to natural and man-made disasters.
It was also recommended to declare the subject of human rights as compulsory in all the training centers of law enforcement agencies including police, armed forces, intelligence and civil administration.
Human Rights former secretary Shaigan Shah and human rights activist Naseem Azhar agreed to the proposals of the sub-committee.
Senator Mushaid Hussain Sayed proposed that the establishment of ‘Journalist Defence Fund’ is need of the hour for providing security to the working journalists. Life, health and accident insurance policies be initiated for the journalists, Senator Mushahid added.
He further said that creation of a separate ministry of disaster management would provide security and relief to the people displaced due to some reasons. The sub-committee also called for strict ban on the sale of spurious drugs and to strength the Drug Regulatory Authority.
The committee also proposed to create a post of director general human rights in the ministry of foreign affairs for better coordination as human rights issue was pivotal for Pakistan’s foreign policy, international image and interests of the people who suffered from abuses and violations of their rights.
