Islamabad, September 19th 2016; 12th meeting of the Standing Committee on Human Rights was held today under the Chairmanship of Mr. Babar Nawaz Khan, MNA.

2.      The meeting was started with the recitation from Holy Quran. The Committee offered “FATEHA” of the martyrs (recently killed) in the different terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Then, the Committee decided to proceed with the given agenda.

3.      Agenda Item No. i; “Confirmation of minutes of last meetings held on 29th & 30th August, 2016”. The Committee unanimously confirmed the minutes of its two previous meetings held on 29th & 30th August, 2016.

4.       Agenda item No. ii; To consider “The Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace (Amendment) Bill, 2014” {Amendments of Section 1,2,3,4,7,10,11 & Schedule, Act IV of 2010} [moved by Ms. Asiya Nasir, MNA] ”.  With the majority of votes; the Committee constituted a Sub-Committee to review/consider three pending Bills as mentioned in agenda item (ii), (iii) and (iv).

5.      Agenda item No. v; “To discuss the projects of protection and promotion of Human Rights especially those being run by the NGOs in the country”. The Economic Affairs Division (EAD)’s representative briefed the Committee about working of NOGs. But the Committee did not satisfied with the given briefing and directed the Ministry of Human Right to arrange a meeting in next month, in which the heads of main donors of NGOs and heads of main NGOs might be invited. Further, Ministry of Finance, Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund must be attended that meeting. Further; the Committee directed EAD to provide all Donors/ NGOs record (i.e. from where they are getting funds, what are their tasks and where they are working in Pakistan) to the Committee. This record should be reached to all Hon. Members of the Committee one week before the upcoming expected date of the meeting.

6.     Agenda item No. (vi); “Any other item with permission of the Chair”. The Committee showed its displeasure for not attending the 10th and 11th meeting of the Standing Committee on Human Rights held in Lahore on 29th and 30th Aug, 2016 by the Chairman, National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), although he was invited in afore said meeting notice and aforesaid meeting/visit was scheduled after his consultation. The Committee unanimously decided to move privilege motion against the Chairman NCHR. The Committee also discussed the appointments in lower grades recently made in NCHR. Consequently; the Committee directed NCHR not to take any official visit abroad in future without the approval of the Ministry of Human Rights.

7.      The Hon. MNAs/Members/Mover Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub, Sayed Essa Nori, Ms. Farhana Qamar, Ms. Surriya Asghar, Ms. Kiran Haider, Ms. Amra Khan, Dr. Shazia Sobia, Ms. Musarat Rafique Mahesar, Ms. Munaza Hassan, Mr. Sajid Nawaz, Ms. Aliya Kamran Murtaza, Mrs. Naseema Hafeez Panezai and Ms. Asiya Nasir were attended the meeting besides the Secretary for Human Rights, Member NCHR, Joint Secretary (EAD), Deputy Draftsman, Ministry of Law and Justice with their staff.