Islamabad: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, met today at Parliament Lodges to assess the operations of national human rights institutions and address the legal challenges facing incarcerated women.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee discussed the workings and main functions of seven key human rights institutions including the National Commission for Human Rights, and the National Commission on the Status of Women. The meeting underscored the importance of these bodies in enforcing human rights standards across the country.

The Federal Minister for Law, Justice, and Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, clarified that the National Commission’s mandate does not include legal aid, which is provided to those who apply and qualify for it. He stressed that legal aid is crucial for ensuring that prisoners are held in conditions that comply with jail standards. Furthermore, the meeting touched upon the development of social welfare centers and the implementation of projects planned for the upcoming year.

Significant advancements in human rights technology were highlighted, such as the launch of the AWAZ app for reporting violations, which is linked directly to the Prime Minister’s office and the ZARRA Alert app, designed to raise awareness about missing children. However, the committee noted that public awareness of these tools is still limited.

The discussion also covered the efficacy of the Diyat, Arsh, and Damam Fund, which has provided financial assistance to release 20 convicts who were unable to pay their fines. The Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights outlined the aims of the ICT Integrated Social Welfare System, which is set to enhance support for vulnerable groups through coordinated efforts across agencies.

On the legislative front, Senator Tarar pointed to the operational Pakistan Code app as a resource for public legal education, but also acknowledged that judicial reforms are necessary to address the backlog of cases in higher courts. Chairperson Senator Zehri concluded by calling for the swift implementation of the Cabinet Committee’s recommendations for special laws to provide speedy justice, emphasizing the need for heightened public awareness campaigns on human rights issues.