Consultations is continued for setting up of Provincial Human Rights Commission:Khalil Tahir Sandhu

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs & Human Rights Khalil Tahir Sandhu has said that consultations are in progress with civil society and academia for the setting up of Provincial Human Rights Commission.

He was addressing a consultative conference on the topic of Need for Organized Efforts for Addressing Human Rights jointly arranged by Asia Foundation and the Provincial Department for Human Rights & Minorities Affairs, at a local hotel, here today.

Provincial Secretary Bushra Iman, Regional Director Ministry of Human Rights, Law & Justice Lubna Mansoor besides representatives of Asia Foundation, various provincial departments, universities and civil society participated in the conference and highlighted the need for awareness campaign about human rights.

Khalil Tahir Sandhu said that human rights is a vast subject and the Punjab Department for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs has allocated a sum of Rs. 15 million in the current budget for the awareness campaign in this regard. He said that the campaign will be started in consultation with stakeholders at the lowest to the district level and regular monitoring of the process will also be ensured. He said that constitution of the Pakistan guarantees human rights of all citizens of the country. He stressed upon civil society to cooperate with the government in safeguarding human rights.

Khalil Tahir Sandhu further said that amendments are being made in the syllabus in view of the importance of human rights and religious harmony. Provincial Secretary Bushra Iman said that Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department is working on the awareness campaign on human rights and a mechanism will also be evolved with the cooperation of different institutions and civil society. She further said that awareness campaign about human rights will be started from Lahore and all communities will be given representation.