ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani announced on Saturday setting up of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Rights Fund with an initial amount of Rs10 million.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the 10-day celebrations on the conferment of International Award for Human Rights on Benazir Bhutto by the United Nations, he said the fund would be utilised for the protection and promotion of human rights.

He also announced five civil awards to be conferred on two human rights organisations and three human rights activists every year for outstanding performance in the area.

Mr Gilani said the names of recipients would be announced each year on Dec 27, the 'Youm-i-Shahadat' of Benazir Bhutto, and the award would be conferred by the president on the Independence Day.

He said the government was committed to creating a society free of human sufferings and deprivation.

He said that human rights monitoring committees were being set up at provincial and district levels with powers to curb any human rights violation in their respective areas.

He said the conferment of human rights award on Ms Bhutto had strengthened the commitment of the government towards protection and promotion of human rights.

He said the policy framework of the government on human right envisaged elimination of injustice and poverty, and fundamental freedom to all citizens.

The prime minister stressed that a balance was to be ensured between the rights of individuals and their responsibilities towards society.

He said that Islam laid stress on sanctity of human rights. He referred to the last sermon of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and said it provided basis for the protection of human rights.

Mr Gilani said that special emphasis was being given to safeguard the rights of women, children and minorities in the country.

He said the government wanted to promote tolerance and harmony as per vision of the great leaders Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Quaid-i-Awam Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.

Federal Minister for Human Rights Mumtaz Alam Gilani termed conferment of the UN Human Rights Award on Ms Benazir Bhutto a great honour for Pakistan.