Islamabad, 12^th May, 2016: The Standing Committee on Human Rights met today in Committee Room of PIPS, Parliament Lodges, Islamabad under the Chairmanship of      Mr. Babar Nawaz Khan, MNA to consider the following agenda:-

i)         Confirmation of minutes of previous meeting held on 02-05-2016.

ii)        To discuss the Humanitarian Crises at Thar.

iii)       To discuss the issue of Mice Biting of children and people at Hospitals of Peshawar.

iv)       To explain the action (s) taken so far with regard to burning of an innocent girl at Abbottabad.

v)        To discuss the issue of expiry of more than 30 people by eating poisonous sweets at Layyah.

vi)       Any other item with the permission of the Chair.

 2.     The Standing Committee initially took up the agenda item No. ii to discuss the Humanitarian Crises at Thar (Sindh). The Relief Department, Government of Sindh, initially declared drought condition in Tharparkar District through a Notification and floated Summary to the Chief Minister Sindh, for distribution of wheat to the drought affected peoples of the areas on 50% or 100% free cost of wheat. Accordingly, on the approval of Summary floated by the Senior Member Board of Revenue, the Food Department immediately arranged shifting of wheat from the surplus Districts and delivered to the Revenue authorities at Thar for further distribution amongst the affected people of Thar. The Food Department, Government of Sindh, so far released 10,47,850 wheat bags in Thar in phase wise from 1^st to 8^th phases with period of supply and allocation as well as wheat released in bags. They further briefed that approx 185 dispensaries had been established in different towns of Thar District so that Government of Sindh could be aware regarding lack / shortage of the medicines / food being faced by people of that area. In addition, 56 Doctors had been deputed in all towns of Thar District and 85 dispensaries had also been established in various towns as well as affected areas of Thar.

3.     The Standing Committee opined that NGO wanted to play their role in Thar District, which could not played / implemented due to unknown reasons. The Standing Committee also of the view that every matter / incident wherever occurred will be considered by the Committee as and when required.

 4.     Thereafter, the Standing Committee took up the agenda item No. iii regarding the issue of Mice Biting of children and people at Hospitals of Peshawar. The Standing Committee on Human Rights was briefed in detail on the issue the relevant authority from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa intimated that Health Department of KPK is fully aware of issue of Mice Biting of children and people in Peshawar and other parts of the Province. They informed that 923 Mice Biting cases were reported, who are under treatment whereas three Mice Biting patients had since been died due to Mice Biting.

 5.     Thereafter, the Standing Committee took up the agenda item No. iv regarding action (s) taken so far with regard to burning of an innocent girl at Abbottabad as well as agenda item No. v regarding the issue of expiry of more than 30 people by eating poisonous sweets at Layyah. The Standing Committee on Human Rights recommended that agenda items No. iv and v may be deferred for the time being as no representative from the respective areas were present in the meeting.  

6.      MNAs Sayed Essa Nori, Ms. Farhana Qamar, Ms. Phyllis Azeem, Ms. Surriya Asghar, Ms. Kiran Haider, Ms. Asiya Naz Tanoli, Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Ms. Amra Khan, Dr. Nafisa Shah, Dr. Shazia Sobia, Ms. Musarat Rafique Mahesar, Ms. Munaza Hassan, Ms. Aliya Kamran Murtaza and Mrs. Naseema Hafeez Panezai attended the meeting.

           (M. RIAZ AWAN)

            Deputy Secretary (C-II)