NA body seeks report on alleged gang rape, stoning of couple
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights has sought reports over an alleged gang rape incident in Sindh and the murder of a couple in Punjab. The human rights wing of the Law Ministry would provide the reports to the committee.
The committee met to discuss reports on adulteration, violation of human rights, progress in the investigation of a murder case in Lahore and promotion of a stenographer in the Law and Human Rights Ministry. Rai Mansab Ali Khan presided over the meeting.
The committee directed the ministry to present a report on the state of human rights in the country in every meeting and ‘strictly’ monitor and pursue media reports on violation of human rights.
Ijaz Paracha, the in-charge of the ministry’s human rights wing, told the committee that his department had only Rs 2 million on its disposal in the ‘relief fund’ (Rs 0.5 million) and the ‘revolving fund’ (Rs 1.5 million) that was for victims of human rights violations.
He said the wing received complaints regarding human rights abuse, but a board, set up separately by the ministry, processed them. “The board has approved 10 cases of human rights abuse for compensation, while a total of 166 such cases were reported this year from across the country,” he said.
He said that two culprits of rape and murder of a minor girl (Asia) had been arrested and the court had rejected their bail applications, adding police were pursuing the case with commitment.
Ali Khan expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of provincial branches of the wing and directed the ministry to improve their performance. He also expressed dissatisfaction with jail authorities for denying prisoners the right to get education.
The committee criticised the ministry’s strict criteria for distribution of compensation money among victims.
Source: Daily Times
Date:2/3/2007
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