Punjab govt lauded for progress on UN conventions

LAHORE : The Punjab government is performing well in implementation of the UN conventions that is helping Pakistan improve its image in the world.

It was stated by Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Anwer Mansoor Khan while chairing a meeting held to review the status of implementation of 27 United Nations conventions at Civil Secretariat on Saturday.

The meeting was also attended by Punjab Minister for Law Muhammad Basharat Raja, Chief Secretary Yusouf Naseem Khokhar, Additional Chief Secretary Home Fazeel Asghar and the secretaries of departments of labour, information, social welfare, Auqaf and human rights.

A review on responding to the European Union’s suggestions for UN conventions was also presented. The AGP urged the need for taking solid steps to review the death penalty and torture of prisoners.

He said that the government was paying special attention on safeguarding the basic human rights such as freedom of expression, protection of journalists and representatives of NGOs.

Basharat Raja told the meeting that the Punjab government was giving top priority to protection of the rights of the children and women with emphasis on bonded and child labour.

“To improve the pace of implementation, digitization of laws and capacity building of relevant stakeholders is given great importance in Punjab along with necessary legislation in the Assembly”, he added.

A presentation on the overall steps taken to improve the human rights situation in Punjab was also given in the meeting.