Missing persons: MPs call for clipping wings of intelligence, security agencies

National Assembly passes unanimous resolution, calling for legislation to resolve the issue.

ISLAMABAD:

As Parliament wakes up to the grievances of Balochistan, debates and resolutions on the province’s problems are multiplying.

On Wednesday, the National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the government to enact necessary legislation to resolve the issue of missing persons. The move is likely to step up pressure on secret agencies blamed for enforced disappearances in the province.

Tabled by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with signatures from every single MP in the party, the resolution demanded “a comprehensive framework law to regulate the role and functioning of intelligence and security agencies”.

It authorised the speaker to constitute an eight-member special committee with equal representation from both sides of the aisle (government and opposition), which will submit its recommendations after meeting families of the missing persons. It will also conduct a briefing with concerned intelligence and security agencies within two months.

The resolution said: “… grave allegations of acts and omissions, complicity and concealment are being raised against state agencies which are tarnishing their image and reputation at home and abroad, notwithstanding their immense contribution and tremendous sacrifices in the defence and security of Pakistan.”

Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that former military ruler Pervez Musharraf had introduced the trend of abductions but the incumbent democratic setup could not bring about any change.

When Interior Minister Rehman Malik stood up to justify his government’s role, Nisar took him to task by asking the speaker to keep him away from the proposed committee.

Taking his accusations further, the opposition leader said, “We do not trust this man (Rehman Malik) since he does nothing except for meddling in others’ affairs and making false statements”.

MQM walkout

The Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) expressed its own grievances, staging a walkout over the alleged conversion to Islam of a Hindu girl, Rinkle Kumari, and her alleged abduction from Mirpur Mathelo.

Manwer Lal from the MQM raised the issue through a point of order saying minorities were insecure in the country. He said Kumari was abducted from her home but a PPP MNA from Ghotki (he did not directly refer to Mian Abdul Haq) did not let her family register an FIR.

“Rinkle had stated in the court that she wanted to live with her parents but she has been shifted to Darul Aman which is being guarded by police in Ghotki,” he added.

Women’s rights

Law Minister Maula Baksh Chandio assured the house that the government was contemplating introducing legislation to ensure that women are not disenfranchised.  He conceded that women in some parts of the country were not allowed to vote but said “we do not support this trend”.

Earlier, six newly elected members of the National Assembly including Ali Musa Gilani, the prime minister’s son, took oath of office.

The National Assembly also passed unanimously the Industrial Relations Bill 2012, to ensure more rights to labourers as members foresaw better industrial and economic development. The Senate has already passed the bill during its last session of the parliamentary year.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2012.