ISLAMABAD: The Senate Stan­d­ing Committee on Human Rights has expressed concerns over the misuse of blasphemy laws to settle personal scores and observed that incidents like Jaranwala were “a matter of great shame for the nation”.

In a meeting chaired by Senator Waleed Iqbal on Tuesday, the committee also sought details of persons detained under blasphemy laws.

“It is a matter of serious concern when people take the law into their own hands,” said Senator Iqbal while talking to a private news channel after the meeting.

Speaking about the abuse of blasphemy laws, the standing committee chairman called for a change in the mindsets of people.

Committee on Human Rights seeks details of persons detained under such legislation

Earlier, during the meeting, a Nat­ional Coordination Committee with­­in the Ministry of Human Rights was formed to oversee the welfare of min­orities and to address of their issues.

The committee, which would include representatives of all four provinces and police departments, will draft SOPs for effective resolutions of issues faced by minorities.

While condemning the Jaranwala attacks, the rights committee discus­sed the steps taken for the rehabilitation of the victims and damaged buildings.

In his remarks, the human rights ministry secretary said since the 18th constitutional amendment, the implementation of safeguards for the protection of minorities has become a provincial subject.

The ministry indeed has a crucial role in ensuring efficient collaboration between relevant stakeholders, including the police department, religious leaders and minority communities, he added.

Senator Irfanul Haq Siddiqui said the recommendations presented by the ministry were concerned with the law enforcement agencies but the issue at hand was more about “dealing with the mindset of the people”.

“Public should be sensitised on tolerance and democratic norms,” he added.

The committee observed that such incidents invariably arise due to personal enmity and result in widespread destruction.

Khalil George, the caretaker federal minister for human rights, who also joined the meeting, said he had personally checked the on-ground situation in Jaranwala several times and still the victims have not been fully accommodated.

He said there was still a lack of communication among the local communities, resulting in the non-provision of essential items such as food and clothes. The minister added that the matter would remain a priority till the Christian community was fully aided.

When the committee members asked the minister if he was satisfied with the human rights situation in the country, the latter replied there was still room for improvement.

On a separate issue, the chairman, Mr Iqbal, also asked the National Com­mission of Human Rights for a briefing on bail as a matter of right for women presently under trial and being kept in jails. Later, the committee’s meeting was called off after the news about the demise of PML-N Senator Rana Maqbool broke. Later, a condolence resolution was also passed.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2023