Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights on Monday expressed concerns over the unsatisfactory performance of the helpline set by the Human Rights Ministry.

Committee Chairman Babar Nawaz said the helpline was not responding to the affected people.

In the meeting, Human Rights Ministry Secretary Rabiya Javeri Agha and Ministry Director General Muhammad Arshad briefed the committee on budgetary proposals relating to PSDP for 2017-18 for the ministry and its attached subordinate departments. They said the ministry wanted to extend facilities of the helpline for legal advice on human rights violations in Islamabad.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved the capital cost of Rs 59.09 million in September, 2016. The project aims at establishing 24-hour helpline to provide quick relief to the victims of human rights violations.

The CDWP approved establishment of National Institute of Human Rights for Rs 58.70 million. The CDWP also approved acquisition of land and construction of building. The construction of two working women hostels in Islamabad was also approved.

Nawaz thrice contacted the helpline, but nobody bothered to pick the number. He said he had dialed the helpline five times on various occasions, but the result was the same.

Committee member Munaza Hassan asked, “Why the ministry is wasting public money on the helpline when it was not properly working?”

The DG said that currently there are only three lines and with extension of five more lines the issue will be resolved. He said the helpline had attended 54,919 calls in 18 months. He said only 7 percent call were genuine.

Committee member Dr Fehmida said the helpline should be advertised properly. She said the government should concentrate on human rights because GPS Plus status is linked to it.

The committee approved proposals related to PSDP 2017-18 for the Ministry of Human Rights and directed the ministry to arrange a briefing about human rights awareness.

The committee also directed the ministry to provide details of changes made in the existing human rights’ laws.