News Detail
Event Title: Senator Walid Iqbal, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights Presiding over a Meeting of The Committee at Parliament House Islamabad
Event Date: 2023-09-28
Meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights was held here at Parliament House on Thursday with Senator Walid Iqbal in Chair.
The Senate Committee deliberated on the unfortunate death of nine year old girl in Ranipur, who was working as minor housemaid and allegedly subjected to torture and sexual abuse. Secretary Human Rights apprised that the unholy incident occurred on 16th August, 2023 and the accused were arrested on the same day. He suggested that Sindh Child Prohibition Employment Act needed to amended as it lacks provisions for the prevention of Child domestic labour and, an inspection mechanism should also be put in place for the effective monitoring of child domestic abuse and most importantly there is a dire need to bring uniformity in definition of child all across the country. The Committee maintained that there were rumours of alleged tampering with DNA samples. Officials refuted the allegations and stated that the samples were first sent to Jamshoro and Karachi Institute but due to unavailability of required technology, and by keeping in view, the sensitivity of the incident samples were sent to lahore and it's DNA report will came forward in the next few days. The Committee lamented the Sindh Police officials in delaying the DNA report for so long. Senator Walid Iqbal remarked that tampering of evidence is the major cause resulting in averting of punishment in almost around 78 pc of criminal cases. Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson National Commission on the Rights of Child, highlighted that a letter was written to Sindh Child Protection Authority about the rumors of having others minor Child held in captivity at the same haveli, however, the Sindh Child Protection Authority failed to respond. Secretary Social Welfare, Sindh, said that around eight young girls were rescued from the location. Besides that, one million Rupees compensation amount has also been given to the deceased family, he added. Senator Walid Iqbal recommended all the four provinces to enact legislation for the prevention of Child domestic abuse and made sure the certainty of justice in the child abuse cases.
Furthermore, the Committee raised the illegal arrest of Pastor Vicktor and Ghazala in Jaranwala, Faisalabad. RPO Faisalabad apprised that Pastor Victor and Ghazala, resident of Karachi, came to Jaranwala to support his community, and allegedly resisted the arrest of Alizar, wanted in blasphemous offence committed against his own religion and also inflicted pain on himself to secure attention. The Committee directed the RPO to submit the inquiry report before the committee once's it's completed.
Moreover, the senate body discussed the arrest of Imaan Mazari. Senator Quratul Ain Marri raised question on the manner of arrest and remarked that the police has turned the whole event into spectacle. DIG ICT Police said that.police used the forced after the refusal of compliance from the accused. The Committee condemned the excessive use of force and directed the police to ensure the implementation of Article 14 of the Constitution.
The meeting was attended by Senator Prof. Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani, Senator Dr. Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, Senator Qurat Ain Marri, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Senator Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo, Senator Irfan ul Haq Siddiqui, Senator Falak Naz, Syed Waqar Mehdi, Secretary Ministry of Human Rights Allah Dino Khowaja, Chairperson National Commission on the Rights of Child Ayesha Raza Farooq and senior officers of Punjab Police,Sindh Police and other relevant departments were also in attendance.