ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Wednesday expressed concern over the events that occurred on November 26 during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) protest in the capital and decided to invite the inspector general and deputy inspector general of Islamabad police to the next meeting to receive detailed information about the incident.
A meeting of the Standing Committee on Human Rights was held in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Sahibzada Mohammad Hamid Raza. Apart from taking several other decisions, the committee members decided to visit Adiala Jail next week to see with their own eyes the facilities offered to the prisoners.
In a heated discussion with SP City’s Khalid Awan, committee chairman Sahibzada Mohammad Hamid Raza asked about the November 26 event during which protesters were fired upon. “There was continuous shooting for six hours,” he alleged.
In its response, SP City said that the police did not fire on the PTI protesters; instead, they were present there to safeguard parliament.
Members will visit Adiala prison next week to evaluate the facilities
Hamid Raza responded that in the next meeting the committee would ask who shot at the peaceful protesters.
However, Hamid Raza ordered that the IGP and Commissioner Islamabad be summoned for a thorough briefing on the events of November 26.
Hamid Raza also became aware of the events that occurred outside Adiala Jail in November, when he and other PTI members, including the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Omer Ayub, and the leader of the opposition in the Senate , Shibli Faraz, were arrested.
“We will not tolerate such mistreatment of elected members. We will hold accountable all those responsible for such ill-treatment,” he said while giving instructions to summon Punjab Home Ministry officials with a full report of the incident.
He also emphasized bringing prison reforms.
Speaking to Dawn after the meeting on the issue, Hamid Raza said, “We have already written to the Speaker of the National Assembly to allow the committee delegation to visit Adiala Jail on January 8. We will also visit other prisons. “These visits are necessary to improve conditions in prisons across the country.”
The committee expressed concern over the poor performance of the Ministry of Human Rights, noting its inability to effectively protect the rights of Pakistani citizens over time.
He ordered the ministry to establish better coordination with the Ministry of Interior to ensure the safeguarding of citizens’ rights. As a result, the committee tabled the matter for further discussion at its next meeting.
The committee congratulated the nation on the New Year and prayed that Allah Almighty helps us overcome problems to bring prosperity to Pakistan.
The committee highlighted the need for the Treasury and opposition benches to take substantial steps to bring political stability to Pakistan so that it can move forward quickly.
The meeting was attended by NMAs Mohammad Hanif Abbasi, Zeb Jaffar, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Sabheen Ghoury, Mohammad Riaz Fatyana, Gohar Ali Khan, Zartaj Gul (via video link), Dr. Nelson Azeem, Sehar Kamran, Wajiha Qamar , Shahida Rehmani and Sharmila Sahiba. Faruqui Hashaam.
Published in Amanecer, January 2, 2025.
