Rights officers at ‘strategic missions’ proposed

Aim is to highlight Kashmir atrocities and fight off hostile propaganda

ISLAMABAD: A top-level government meeting on Tuesday proposed the appointment of human rights officers at Pakistan’s missions located at ‘strategic locations’.

The proposal was discussed during a briefing given to Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk about the Ministry of Human Rights “role in protection and promotion of human rights and fulfilment of international obligations of the country in safeguarding human rights and protection of the vulnerable groups,” statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

According to an official source, the placement of human rights officers at diplomatic missions abroad remained under consideration since 2008 when Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was in power at the centre.

The Human Rights Ministry also proposed setting up a designated human rights cell that would deploy human rights officers at every strategically important diplomatic mission during the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PMLN) federal government. However, the proposal did not materialise mainly due to the lack of interest on part of the top ruling functionaries, said the sources.

The proposal to deploy human rights officers abroad primarily aims at countering the propaganda accusing Pakistan of alleged human rights excesses in its counterterrorism drive. “The propaganda highlighting human rights excesses is being sponsored at international forums by ‘hostile players.’ This needs to be effectively countered,” the source said.

The source said that appointment of human rights officers abroad also aims to highlight Kashmir issue and the atrocities committed by Indian forces in the occupied valley.

Earlier in 2016, former PM Nawaz Sharif had appointed 22 special envoys in different parts of the world in a bid to highlight violations of human rights committed by the Indian forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir. However, the matter since then has not been actively pursued nor has it been streamlined.

The statement said that the Tuesday meeting emphasised the need for developing an all-encompassing national human rights narrative. It also proposed that a special committee be constituted with representation of all relevant ministries and provincial governments to facilitate Ministry of Human Rights.

The PM directed that the proposals and recommendations of the Human Rights Ministry should be submitted for consideration of the cabinet, the press release said.

The briefing was attended by Human Rights Minister Roshan Khursheed Bharucha, Human Rights Secretary Rabiya Javeri Agha, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Kazim Niaz and senior officers of Human Rights Ministry.

UAE envoy calls on PM

Ambassador of United Arab Emirates Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi paid a courtesy call to the interim PM on Tuesday.

An official statement said that the envoy expressed hope that Pakistan would fully utilise the platform of EXPO 2020 to showcase its immense potential. Mulk assured the ambassador that Pakistan will actively participate in EXPO 2020 and conveyed his best wishes for the success of the event.