ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: The National Assembly standing committee on law, justice and human rights met here on Monday under the chairmanship of Rai Mansab Ali Khan to discuss the Council for Awareness and Enforcement of Human Rights Bill-2003.

The committee was informed that another bill on National Commission on Human Rights of same nature with broader scope was being considered by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights.

The committee deferred the Council for Awareness and Enforcement of Human Rights Bill-2003 to avoid its duplication. The final decision on the bill will be taken after reviewing the new bill.

The committee also discussed abduction case of Shazia Bibi of District Khanewal. District Police Officer Khanewal informed the committee that the accused, Mohammad Iqbal, had been arrested and the abducted girl recovered.

He also contradicted the contents of a news item suggesting that it was a case of Vani. The DPO said the complainants had rejected the offer made by the accused, adding that Vani did not take place.

The committee appreciated the efforts of the district police and senior joint secretary of the law ministry for their services and asked the DPO to investigate the case on merit.

Meanwhile, the standing committee expressed its displeasure over the absence of DIG Karachi whose attendance was required in the murder case of an air hostess, Yasmeen Malik. It directed the authorities concerned to summon the DIG and SSP (investigation) Karachi to the next meeting.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afghan Khan Niazi, Minister of State for Defence Zahid Hamid, and MNAs Nawab Mirza Advocate and Abdul Mujeeb Pirzada.