“There are so many issues concerning human rights which the people confront on a daily basis,” said President Gilgit Press Club Khurshid Ahmed. PHOTO: FILE
GILGIT: A delegation comprising senators intending to probe human rights issues in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) kicked off its three-day discussion in Gilgit on Monday.
The nine-member committee is being led by Senator Afrasiab Khattak while senators Farhatullah Babar, Mushahid Hussain, Nasreen Jalil, Talha Mahmood and Zahid Khan are also part of the delegation among others.
The delegation will spend three days in G-B and meet politicians, civil society members, human rights activists and media personnel to document incidents pertaining to violation of human rights in the region.
“The findings and recommendations of their investigation would be presented to the prime minister in the form of a report,” said an official accompanying the delegation, adding they are also planning to visit other parts of G-B.
Moreover, the senators will meet Awami Action Committee (AAC) leaders who recently launched a movement to restore the wheat subsidy, the reduction of which they claimed was “a violation of human rights”. The 12-day long but peaceful struggle resulted in the centre finally agreeing to lower wheat prices. The movement united otherwise opposing Sunni and Shia groups in G-B who were seen praying together during the protests. The delegation is due to meet media personnel today (Tuesday).
“There are so many issues concerning human rights which the people confront on a daily basis,” said Khurshid Ahmed, the president of Gilgit Press Club. “We hope the committee will look into it thoroughly and suggest ways for their solution.”
Locals hope the senators will also look into the issues like load-shedding, education and health.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2014.
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