Bill on Child Rights soon: Khokhar

Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar briefs Australian High Commissioner and First Secretary on government initiatives.

ISLAMABAD: The government is working to table a Child Rights bill in the parliament, which will include internal trafficking, child pornography and increasing the age of criminal ability, the Advisor to Prime Minister on Human Rights Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said on Tuesday.

Talking to Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward and First Secretary Mikel Gragery, Khokhar briefed them about the various initiatives taken by the present government to improve the human rights situation in Pakistan.

Khokhar apprised them about recent legislative initiatives of the present government for addressing human rights issues like National Commission for Human Rights Bill, the Women in Distress and Detention Fund Bill, National Commission for Women Bill and Prevention of Anti Women Practices Bill (Private Member Bill).

The advisor said that there is a dire need of social change that can be brought about by media campaigns, dialogue and discussion to raise consciousness about religious extremism, treatment of minorities and treatment of women.

While talking about the recently submitted UPR report, he said, that it was prepared in a comprehensive way covering all the aspects of human rights and will be reviewed by three countries – China, Chile and Congo.

He also added that Pakistan welcomes healthy criticism by the international community on human rights issues in the country with the vision to improve the situation.

Heyward, while appreciating the efforts of the advisor, offered the ministry to identify mutual areas of interest to support appeasing human rights situation in Pakistan and create national harmony.

Heyward added that Pakistan and Australia share a number of constitutional similarities which can be helpful in developing closer ties with each other.