Seminar on Balochistan human rights situation postponed

Decision taken after Quetta-based NGO withdrew financial support to host the four-day moot

ISLAMABAD: The National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) has postponed its four-day seminar on Balochistan’s political and human rights situation scheduled to be inaugurated on February 8 in Quetta.

“Seminar had to be postponed due to lack of funds,” a senior member of the NCHR told The Express Tribune.

A Quetta-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that had committed financial contribution for the seminar has withdrawn its support.



A source in the ministry of law has suspected that the NGO had to withdraw its financial support under duress by “some’” quarters who are against any debate and discussions on human rights situation in Balochistan.

Political activists, NGOs, civil society, intellectuals and journalists were invited by the NCHR for their participation in the seminar.

The commission had planned the seminar soon after its formation last year but the idea could not materialised as the ministry has not provided adequate funds despite all out efforts by the NCHR.

Despite obstacles by the Federal Ministry of Law, NCHR has been able to partially assert itself as a human rights watchdog, admitted a senior official of the ministry requesting anonymity.



“We are surprised over the fact the commission’s chairman Justice (retd) Ali Nawaz Chohan and all of its members are fulfilling their responsibilities in a smooth manner even without being paid their monthly salaries or other perks for the last one year,” the he added.

NCHR completed almost first year of its foundation in February 2015 but the federal government has not been able to discharge its responsibilities so far to let it function as a full-fledged entity, said one of the members of the human rights body requesting not to be named.

Moreover, the commission has not been allotted a building to house the body. The rules and relevant laws demanded that the human rights organisation will function as an absolutely independent entity.