Rights violations: Report on missing persons soon

All agencies must function within the boundaries of law: Senator.

ISLAMABAD:

Defence Ministry informed the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights on Thursday that the ministry has prepared a comprehensive report on missing persons and the report would be presented to the senate committee after the approval of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Secretary Defence Yasin Malik told the committee that the ministry has held four meetings with the departments concerned and prepared a 30-page report on the missing persons which would be presented to the PM after his return from China.

Committee chairman Afrasiab Khattak stressed on the need for proper legislation to stop human rights abuses. He added that a sub-committee be formed to draft legislation on enforced disappearances.

PPP Senator Farhatullah Baber said that all agencies are under the law and must abide by it. Haji Ghulam Ali told the committee that people are still being picked up and even the highest public officials are helpless in front of these agencies.



PML-N Senator Mushahidullah said that many of those picked up are involved in criminal activities but the way they are picked up creates sympathy for them. Such activities create more trouble for the agencies. These are changing times and a single party cannot resolve all issues, he added.

The committee also appreciated the Human Rights Report 2012 by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and formed a subcommittee to deliberate over the report and submit its recommendations to the committee.

Blasphemy law

The committee also discussed the misuse of the blasphemy law. Minister Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael told the committee: “No one is against the blasphemy law but we want proper implementation of it.” Those who level false allegations against others for personal enmity must be strictly punished, the minister added.

Other members of the committee stressed the dire need of legislation pertaining to the blasphemy law, highlighting the protection of minorities as a major issue. Currently, it is very difficult for the accused to prove them innocent.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2013.