- Minister says free legal aid will be provided to vulnerable persons by the govt
- Pervaiz Rashid says ministry would soon finalize summary for constitution of 8th Wage Board Award
The government on Thursday announced a 16-point comprehensive action plan to promote and protect human rights in the country and allocated Rs 100 million for its effective implementation.
Minister for Human Rights Zahid Hamid announced the plan flanked by Minister of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Rights Barrister Zafarullah at a news conference.
He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had approved the action plan which would focus on 60 specific areas like development of national policy on human rights, provision of free legal aid to human rights victims, appropriate measures to curb gender-based violence, establishment of women protection centers, setting up of national commission for minorities and persons with disabilities, launching of media awareness campaign, jails reforms, access to speedy justice, implementation of international treaties and conventions.
The minister informed that free legal aid would be provided to vulnerable persons by devising a comprehensive mechanism to facilitate masses at their doorstep.
He apprised that under the plan strategies at provincial and regional level for protection of human rights would be formulated after approval by respective provincial governments.
Zahid said a dedicated joint committee would be constituted comprising federal and provincial governments to review discriminatory legislation to bring legislative reforms.
The committee would have the mandate to ensure immediate enactment, effective enforcement and review of relevant laws.
Whereas, he said, the research studies would be carried out to review and identify legal provisions to be enacted for harmonization of legislation/amendments in the Pakistan Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure in line with international obligations.
The minister stated that for quick dispensation of justice, a fund would be established to provide free legal aid to poor victims of human rights.
Speedy justice for victims of human rights violations would be ensured through strengthening of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors etc.
Furthermore, recommendations of cabinet committee on enactment of special laws for provision of speedy justice would be implemented.
Under the Action Plan, the minister said, forensic sciences would be improved besides, up-gradation of physical facilities and equipment to investigate Gender Based Violence (GBV)/crimes on scientific grounds in each province.
Under it, National Policy guidelines on (GBV), would also be formulated, studies would be conducted to review all discriminatory legislation against women, new crisis centers for women would be established and existing services at district level would be standardised, and a model programme would be designed and executed to engage men for eliminating GBV.
It also includes directions for a uniform women’s empowerment package for federal and provincial governments under Article 149 of the country’s Constitution.
Under the plan, the minister said training of government officials would also be conducted besides introducing the human rights discipline in curricula to bring change in behavior at grassroots level.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid said that the ministry would soon finalize a summary for the constitution of 8th Wage Board Award.
He said that the ministry had given several reminders to the unions and other forums of media for nominating their representatives in the Wage Board Award.
He said the government believed in the protection of the citizens’ rights and would take all steps in that regard.
The minister directed the principal information officer to link the government advertisements to the media outlets with timely disbursement of salaries to their workers.
Pervaiz Rashid said that the government wanted to bring prosperity in the country but the sit-ins became hurdles in their way.
The information minister said there was need to mend social behaviors towards women and children besides taking steps to enforce the relevant laws.
The minister said that the government would incorporate the chapters on human rights in the education syllabus. The government officials would also be adequately trained to promote and create conducive environment for respecting human rights.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Human Rights, Barrister Zaffarullah said, it was for the first time in the history of the country that an effective action plan for human rights had been introduced, while a policy of HR was also under consideration.
Besides, he said, the prime minister had established a legal reforms committee to expedite pending legislation and was introducing new laws in accordance with the international treaties and conventions.
For speedy justice, he said, they are working tirelessly to completely revamp Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) and Civil Procedure Court (CPC) to ensure speedy justice.
