Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, led by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, convened at Parliament House to discuss amendments to child protection laws and address the rising crimes against women and children in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Key issues included the refinement of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the alarming crime statistics revealing low conviction rates and high instances of domestic violence.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting opened with a focus on the “The National Commission on the Rights of Child (Amendment) Bill, 2023.” Discussions were spearheaded by Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur who emphasized the critical need for monitoring children’s activities to protect their rights. The Federal Minister for Law, Justice, and Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, highlighted the necessity to refine the bill’s language to make it more effective.
A significant development discussed was the introduction of the “Take It Down” app by the National Commission on the Rights of Child, as shared by Chairperson Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq. The app is designed to block obscene content accessible to children under 18, with plans to extend its services to young adults in its second phase.
Further discussions revealed troubling statistics on domestic violence and low conviction rates in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting an urgent call for reform in investigation and prosecution processes by Senator Zehri. She also expressed grave concerns over the handling of cases involving sexual abuse and murder, including a highlighted case from Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore.
The committee meeting concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for accurate data and proactive measures to combat these issues effectively. Senator Zehri criticized the negligence and lack of seriousness in addressing these human rights violations and stressed the need for systemic overhaul to protect children and women from ongoing crimes.