The National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights on Monday expressed concerns over the issue of missing persons, as its chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the issue is 'creating a crisis-like situation in the country.' The committee was chaired by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in which he said the missing persons issue is important and Sardar Akhtar Mengal has a significant role in bringing the issue to the limelight.
He also suggested that PTI's coalition partner Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who had made an agreement with the PTI before joining the coalition, should not vote for the government's upcoming 'anti-people' budget until the issue of missing persons is resolved. Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari briefed the committee, upon which the chairman committee Bilawal sought report on the international agreements along with the implementation status on them.
Bilawal also expressed concerns over the incidents of violence against women in the country. Mazari had told the committee that her ministry has no database with regard to violence against women in the country. The chairman expressed concerns over the increasing number of harassment and abuse cases against the women in Pakistan. The committee also sought detailed report on the child marriages bill and the state of human right violations in the country.
The minister said the both the bills are currently with the Law Ministry for consideration. The chairman said that the government should not weaken the role of Human Right Ministry, rather it should strengthen it. The committee suggested that all bills related to human rights must be brought in the committee for discussion and recommendations.
The chairman of the committee also summoned director general Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in its next meeting to brief the committee on the actions taken against individuals under cyber crime law. Bilawal also directed the concerned ministries to review the cyber crimes bill and questioned the actions taken under the law.