NCHR representative visits Balochistan

Stresses need to combat rise in cases of 'honour' killings

QUETTA: Balochistan's representative on the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Ms Fazila Alyani, has said that the NCHR was greatly concerned over the many issues present in the province, including an increase in cases of 'honour' killing.

In a meeting with the Additional Inspector General (AIG) for Counter-Terrorism and AIG Legal, Ms Alyani sought the help and cooperation of the police regarding the issue of honour killings. She said that the “Increase in honour killing cases in Balochistan is alarming and there should be mechanism discourage such incidents through adopting strict measures”. The police officials assured her that the police department will extend all help and cooperation to the commission.



During her visit to Quetta, Ms Alyani also met with the Hindu and Christian communities of Mastung to discuss the issues they faced in detail. She also discussed the alarming human rights situation in the province with volunteer activists and human rights defenders of the Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and expressed her concern over them, saying that steps were needed to resolve these human rights issues.

In a separate meeting, officials of the provincial health department's hepatitis section briefed her on the prevailing health conditions. They called for special attention to be given to the increase in cases of hepatitis which primarily affected poorer segments of society.



The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human Rights in the Balochistan Assembly, Mr William Jan Barkat visited the NCHR office along with a member of the committee, Ms Kishwar Jattak. The parliamentarians briefed Ms Alyani on several bills to protect human right which were passed by the Assembly.