Senate panel on rights urges reforms

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has stressed the need for stronger child protection, disability rights and gender equality.

The committee held its meeting with the chair of its chairperson Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri on Monday to review legislative amendments and assess institutional mechanisms concerning the rights of children, persons with disabilities and gender equality in Pakistan.

The committee considered the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2024, moved by Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur.

The ministry and the mover mutually agreed on a number of key amendments. For the Disability Bill, provisions were endorsed to conduct five-yearly surveys of schools, provide books and assistive devices, offer scholarships, and promote inclusive education.

The committee also discussed the inclusion of internationally recognised definitions for “mild” and “moderate” disabilities for legal clarity.

Although the ministry initially expressed reservations, arguing that existing frameworks cover many proposed functions, a consensus was reached after deliberation to refine the language and improve enforceability.

The committee stressed the importance of government-led awareness initiatives, regulatory mechanisms, and reliable data collection.

An app has already been launched in Islamabad to assist parents and gather data on children with disabilities, with the city being treated as a pilot model.

It was noted that Punjab and Sindh have enacted their own laws, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s legislation is still under finalisation.

The committee also received a briefing on initiatives to enhance child online protection and the operational capacity of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

The committee recommended expanding cybercrime units across all regions, enabling remote complaint registration, recruiting trained professionals, and ensuring inter-agency coordination.

Members emphasised the need for proactive investigation, increased public awareness, and psychological support services for victims.

With only 30 convictions reported, concerns were raised regarding delays in legal proceedings, victim withdrawal, and the absence of timely support mechanisms.

The committee further urged authorities to maintain offender databases, conduct background checks, and strengthen existing helplines for timely intervention.

A discussion was also held on the ineffective implementation of resolutions promoting gender equality and women’s participation.

The Human Rights secretary referred to Pakistan’s low ranking in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report, attributing it to outdated data, underreporting, and systemic as well as cultural barriers. Lack of coordination between institutions such as HEC and UNESCO was also highlighted as a cause for unreliable national reporting.

The committee stressed the need for regular reporting, greater accountability from implementing partners, and penalties for negligence.

Chairperson Senator Samina Zehri also raised concerns over systemic delays in convictions, highlighting inefficiencies in the judicial process and prosecutorial bottlenecks. She stressed that justice delayed is justice denied, and called for coordinated efforts among stakeholders to fast-track justice delivery.

She further pinpointed the government’s failure to provide accurate data at international forums, particularly during UN reviews in Geneva, noting that the dissemination of misleading information on sensitive matters such as blasphemy damages Pakistan’s international credibility.

She urged the ministry to ensure factual, transparent reporting and to adopt a proactive approach in international engagements. In attendance were Senators Khalil Tahir, Poonjo Bheel, Quratul-Ain Marri, Raja Nasir Abbas, Dost Muhammad Khan, Jam Saifullah Khan, and Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur (participating online), along with the secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights and senior officials from relevant departments.