A meeting of the parliamentary committee on human rights chaired by MNA Nosheen Iftikhar witnessed sharp criticism over the absence of key ministries, alongside the approval of major legislation and detailed discussions on human rights, cybercrime and social issues.
Chairperson Nosheen Iftikhar expressed displeasure, stating that not a single representative from the relevant ministry attended the previous meeting, while no official from the Ministry of Law and Justice was present in the current session either.
Responding to the criticism, the Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights informed the committee that the Director General had been removed from his position and attributed earlier delays to VIP movement on the day of the last meeting.
Despite the concerns, the committee approved the Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill 2025 through a majority vote. The Secretary of the ministry told the committee that following a Supreme Court decision, the government had decided that minor policy matters should be handled directly by the relevant ministries rather than being sent to the federal cabinet. He added that the Ministry of Law and Justice had been tasked with preparing a plan of action in this regard.
The committee, however, postponed deliberations on the Pakistan Climate Refugees Rights and Protection Bill 2024.
Briefing the committee on minority rights, the Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights said the effective establishment and functioning of the National Commission for Minority Rights would be ensured after the law’s implementation. He added that the Speaker of the National Assembly had directed the formation of a four-member committee for this purpose.
The committee was also informed that Pakistan was raising its voice, in coordination with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to express solidarity with women, children and elderly people in Gaza. Officials said the issue was being highlighted at various international forums, with active engagement currently underway through the OIC.
On child marriage legislation, the Secretary said the law had been implemented in Islamabad, while it was yet to be enforced in Punjab. He noted that it had recently been implemented in Balochistan, referred to the Council of Islamic Ideology in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and remained weakly enforced in Sindh. A representative of the Ministry of Law and Justice stated that in Islamabad, marriage registrars were now verifying ages before registering marriages.
The committee was also briefed on the issue of Pakistani citizens held in illegal detention abroad, with the Secretary stating that a report had been sought from the Ministry of Interior regarding such cases.
During the meeting, committee member Asia Naz Tanoli raised alarm over the use of a white, chocolate-shaped drug among girls and said she was ready to provide photographic evidence. The chairperson announced that a separate meeting would be convened to discuss the matter in detail.
Serious concerns were also raised about the rising incidence of drug abuse, murders and suicides in the country. Members highlighted increasing cases of harassment on social media, access of children to harmful applications, and the limited capacity of cybercrime authorities to handle complaints.
Member Naz Baloch said women were often reluctant to file complaints, while cybercrime cases were allegedly ignored or delayed for months. The chairperson further alleged that in some cases, FIA officials demanded money and informed accused individuals about complaints filed against them.
Sharing a personal experience, Chairperson Nosheen Iftikhar said she herself had been a victim of cybercrime and it had taken nine months for her to resolve the issue. She announced that a caucus meeting would be called to discuss cybercrime-related concerns in detail, following a conversation with committee member Naz Baloch.
