ISLAMABAD: Provincial governments have largely failed to bring violators of human rights to book over the past three years and more than 8,000 cases are pending for relief, the National Assembly was informed on Wednesday.

In Sindh, about 6,000 cases of rights violation were recorded and only 783 offenders were punished by courts. In the NWFP, 730 of about 2,000 cases were decided.

Punjab recorded 2,131 incidents of human rights violation and action was taken on 814 cases.

In Balochistan, 823 cases were recorded and 305 of them were decided by courts.

Answering a question by Kashmala Tariq, Human Rights Minister Syed Mumtaz Alam Gilani said the action had been taken by courts and not by the ministry.

He said the ministry faced shortage of funds and depended on funding by national and international non-government agencies.

He said the ministry held workshops and seminars in collaboration with NGOs for spreading awareness.

On receiving a complaint, the ministry directs the provincial departments concerned to take action and follows up the cases to ensure prosecution.

He said reports of law-enforcement agencies were analysed in consultation with the ministry of law and justice to recommend a course of action.

Mr Gilani said his ministry held regular meetings with NGOs working for rights of children, women and prisoners.

Answering another question, the minister said a draft bill on national human rights commission was with the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights after its approval by the cabinet.