ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Human Rights Zahid Hamid on Tuesday said that the government had an unflinching commitment to promote the cause of human rights and was determined to ensure enforcement of fundamental rights in the country.
The government was making maximum efforts for the protection of vulnerable segments of society and in that respect special emphasis was being given to safeguard the rights of women, children and minorities, he added.
Addressing the opening session of dialogue with the delegation of Asia Pacific Forum (APF) of National Human Rights Institutions, he said the government was fully aware of the fact that an independent and effective National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) could be a powerful agent for change which couldpromote the establishment of a robust, vigorous and tolerant society.
“It is our endeavour to obtain requisite accreditation for NCHR and to ensure that it functions in accordance with international standards set out in the Paris Principals, as provided in its parent statute, the National Commission on Human Rights Act, 2012,” he added.
Zahid Hamid said that NCHR was an impartial state body and worked independently and directly accountable to the Parliament.
Chairman NCHR, Justice (Retd) Ali Nawaz Chowhan said that Parliament had done a great job for cause of Human Rights in the country and established an institution.
He said that the NCHR was committed to work on its huge mandate as envisaged in Section 9 of the Act. This would be possible through cooperation of bodies already working in service of the people and the democratic government which was also determined to protect human rights.
The proper implementation of Human Rights would bring positive change in the life of Pakistani citizens as NCHR trying to ensure equal rights for all people, he added.
Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique, Member ICT, said that the Commission was working on the rights of children and women including the environmental issues. The initial performance report of the NCHR would be publish soon, he added.
