CADD, HR ministry reluctant to take up NCPWD bill

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights came to know on Wednesday that Ministry of Capital Administration & Development Division (CADD) and Ministry of Human rights are not ready to take up 'The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Bill (NCPWD), 2018', and are throwing the issue in each other's domain.
The committee met here under the chairmanship of Babar Nawaz Khan, MNA, who proposed to send the bill to the Ministry of CADD as the subject of PWDs is currently entertained by it.
The bill moved by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Dr Nikhat Shakeel Khan was mainly focused on a national policy for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities (PWDs), seeking review the available facilities and ensure implementation of the said policy.
In response, the Ministry of CADD's joint secretary informed the committee that they are dealing only with the provision of facilities while the protection of rights is the subject of the Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR).
General Coordination Director of Ministry of Human Rights, Muhammad Hassan Mangi informed the members that the bill is not addressing the issue of rights and also has many flaws.
An official of the Ministry of Law and Justice further clarified, "When a bill is introduced in the assembly, it is identified according to the 'Rules of Business' and the issue of PWDs fall under CADD."
The committee chairperson directed for sending the proposal back to the Lower House of the Parliament, saying they would discuss it if it is referred back to them.
The committee also took strong notice on Peshawar Electricity Supply Company's (PESCO) inability to facilitate the affectees of Tarbela and Mangla Dams by ignoring their recommendations.
The members decided to refer the matter to the privilege committee against PESCO chief and the officials who attended the meeting, and write a letter to the minister for power in this connection.
Briefing the committee on the warm welcome given to the accused of Mashal Khan murder case after their bail at Rashakai Interchange, M-1, and their open hate speeches made on the occasion, District Police Officer (DPO) Mardan Dr Mian Saeed said that 61 persons were identified in the case and out of them 85 per cent were arrested.
He stated that one main accused was granted death sentence, five got life imprisonment while 25 were sentenced to four years imprisonment. The 25 culprits were granted bail after filing an appeal in the high court, saying they have spent sufficient time (10 months) in jail and should be granted a bail.
The DPO further informed that they have also pleaded in the court against the bail and short sentence given to the culprits in the murder case.
The committee members also called for taking steps to check increasing trend of intolerance and impatience in the society which would, otherwise, negatively impact the social fabric.
They also stated that universities are responsible for building the thinking process of students, adding that it is the duty of the faculty members to properly address the queries of students, besides keeping an eye on their activities.
The committee called Mardan University administration, Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman, all HEC secretaries, and chief secretaries from all the provinces, officials of MOHR, and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) officials in the next meeting to find a long-term solution to the existing problems.
The meeting was attended by Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub, Farhana Qamar, Aliya Kamran Murtaza, Kiran Haider, Munaza Hassan, Phyllis Azeem, Sajid Nawaz, Kanwar Naveed Jameel, Kishwer Zehra, Musarat Rafique Mahesar and Begum Tahira Bukhari, MNAs, and officials of the Ministry of Human Rights and provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.