Call to change social behaviour to protect human rights

LAHORE

Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Khalil Tahir Sandhu on Saturday said that young generation of Pakistan is the torch-bearer of human rights protection so as to eliminate discriminatory system which causes frustration and depression in society. 

The minister expressed these views while addressing the participants of a seminar as chief guest, organised by Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department, Government of the Punjab on the eve of “International Human Rights Day” observed throughout the world with this year’s theme “Stand up for some one's rights today”. Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Asim Iqbal, Rector FC College Dr James Tabby, MPA Kanji Ram, Educationist Prof Mudassar Hussain Siyal, representatives of different religions, politicians, NGOs, Javed William, Ch Mushtaq Gill and students from different colleges and universities attended the seminar. 

Students presented two songs and a play on the theme of human rights on this occasion. Secretary Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Asim Iqbal in his welcome address said the Punjab government had taken different initiatives along with effective legislation to protect the rights of minorities living in the province.

Khalil Tahir Sandhu said there was a need to change our social behaviours as division of human beings in different sections created sense of deprivation which led to extremism in society. Khalil Tahir said the Punjab government had done legislation on under-age marriages, implementing of 5 percent quota in government jobs for minorities, established minorities development fund, disbursing education scholarships to the students of minorities and creating interfaith harmony among different religions. 

Sandhu informed the participants that the chief minister had approved to establish human rights directorates in all districts of the province along with establishing human rights task force in which representation will be ensured to every segment of society. 

Rector FC College Dr James Tabby said as human beings we should be equal when it comes to basic rights, eliminating prejudice and discrimination, consciously working to solve this problem as what we would do for God, we should do for human beings around us because in helping humanity we are doing it for God. Renowned senior journalists Khalid Qayyum highlighted the linkage between human rights and our responsibilities for humanity, stressing upon the need to provide better atmosphere and opportunities for each other.

He appreciated the efforts of the Punjab government for its initiatives to eliminate the child and bonded labour, legislation against harassment of women and sexual exploitation of children.

Moderator Naulakha Church, Dr Majeed Abel said there were positive aspects in Pakistani culture with reference to protection of human rights and he was writing a book “Ye Bhi Pakistan Hey” in which he had depicted positive picture of Pakistani civilisation and culture, he concluded. 

ambulance: Provincial Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Punjab Khawaja Imran Nazir has said that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the incident of not providing an ambulance by the hospital administration for shifting a young patient from Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Sadiqabad to Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahimyar Khan. He directed the Rahimyar Khan DCO to submit a report after inquiring into the incident within 24 hours.

This was observed by Provincial Minister for Health Kh Imran Nazir while presiding over a meeting, conducted on the direction of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, through a video link in connection with inquiry of the incident, according to a handout issued here on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Punjab Ali Jan Khan, secretary to chief minister Ahmad Javed Qazi, DCO Lahore besides DCO Rahimyar Khan and EDO Health Rahimyar Khan participated in the meeting through a video link.

Kh Imran Nazir said it was the responsibility of the hospital administration to ensure provision of ambulance for shifting serious patients to big hospitals. He directed the DCOs of all the districts to install tracking system in ambulances for supervising communication and monitoring of use of ambulances in the hospitals.

He said the hospital administrations should be made responsible in connection with use of ambulances. He made it clear that strict action would be taken as per law without any discrimination against the persons found responsible in the incident of Sadiqabad.