ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Thursday called for a treaty on transfer of prisoners, ratification of Rome Statute and intentional conventions on enforced disappearances, conventions on rights of all migrant workers and a report about the death of journalist Arshad Sharif.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, which met at the parliament house, discussed various matters including Pakistan’s international treaties, international assistance for flood relief operations, mechanisms for transfer/repatriation of prisoners abroad, tracing and recovery of a Pakistani doctor, Saqib Raza, illegally detained in Syrian Kurdistan, and appointment of honorary counselors in Pakistan.

The meeting chaired by MNA Mohsin Dawar was briefed about Pakistan’s international treaties. The committee recommended that the government should ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, affirm the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances and International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, respectively.

The committee also examined the matter pertaining to tracing and recovery of Dr Saqib Raza, a maxillofacial surgeon illegally detained in Syrian Kurdistan. The mother of the detained doctor was invited to the meeting. Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that Pakistani mission in Damascus had engaged the ICRC, UNHCR and Unicef to trace Pakistani nationals detained in Syrian Kurdistan.

Pakistan has so far received $3.4bn for flood relief operations and reconstruction, meeting told

However, repatriation of such detainees required policy formulation from the Ministry of Interior, the members were informed. The committee noted with concern and regretted that such a policy was not devised in four years since the case was reported. The committee directed to call the Ministry of the Interior to the next meeting on the same subject and urged the Foreign Office to consider the case on a priority basis.

The officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed the committee that the Pakistani missions provided comprehensive assistance to the prisoners abroad. However, the transfer of prisoners and offenders required bilateral treaties with various countries. Such agreements were concluded and ratified with the concurrence of both the sides.

The members raised concerns as to why such arrangements were still not in place as Pakistani prisoners languished in foreign jails.

The committee underlined the need for a clear political direction regarding transfer of prisoners treaties with various countries and directed to call the Ministry of Interior the next meeting.

The members were informed that in response to the UN flash appeal after the devastating floods in Pakistan, pledges worth $270 million had been made. Of these, $170 million had been converted to firm commitments. On members’ queries regarding cumulative assistance received, the committee was told that Pakistan had received $3.4 billion for flood relief operations and reconstruction. Pakistan had received 140 special relief flights, 13 trains and six ships carrying relief items.

In response to the members concerns whether the flash appeal was successful in meeting the desired targets, it was observed that the appeal was mildly successful against the ambitious target set.

However, given the international community’s shift in attention to Ukraine, the flash appeal was a success.

It was also outlined that Pakistan played a lead role in the international consensus for the establishment of the loss and damage fund at COP 27. This was a major breakthrough to establish institutional arrangements to address climate-induced disasters particularly in developing world.

The members remarked that the response of the international community to the flood was not commensurate with the scale of support rendered in 2010 flood and 2005 earthquake. They said declining international interest in the region was a key obstacle to Pakistan’s appeal.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2022