25 September 2004	Saturday	09 Shaban 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 24: The opposition lawyers in the Senate have formed a special committee to highlight the violations of human rights, Constitution and laws taking place in the country in an effective manner.

The formation of the eight-member committee was announced by People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) Senator Farooq Naek, Pakistan Muslim League-N Senator Sadia Abbasi and PPP Senator Sajjad Hussain Bokhari while speaking at a press conference at the Parliament House here on Friday.

Farooq Naek, who is also the chairperson of the Senate Opposition (Lawyers) Committee for Human Rights and Rule of Law, said the body had been formed as the standing committee on human rights was not functioning effectively. He said violations of human rights and laws were taking place every where in the country, but the government was taking no steps.

Mr Naek said the newly-formed committee would not only highlight violations of human rights but the members would also introduce different bills on private members day to stop these violations. He regretted that so far the government had not done legislation on any serious issue like jail reforms, women rights and child rights.

Moreover, the PPP senator said the opposition members felt the need for forming this committee as they had not been given due representation in the standing committees. Mr Naek said that he was expert in law and human rights but he had been given representation in the committees on environment and housing.