* NA Standing Committee recommends LHV regularisations, sets their wage at Rs 7,000

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Human Rights on Tuesday regretted that one year has passed and it is clear failure that no justice was given to Haleema Bhutto, who was declared kari.

The committee, which met under the chairmanship of MNA Riaz Fatyana, was informed that her husband expelled her from her house and several cases were registered against her and other family members. The committee recommended for grant of land along with existing crop to the victim. The false case of kidnapping a child should be withdrawn against the brother of the victim who was already in the custody of police. The committee unanimously recommended that RPO/DPO might act under section 145 and the case of Haleema Bhutto should be disposed of within two months. The district officer (revenue), Ghotki, might distribute the land as per law and dispose the case within two months after the filing of an application by Haleema/owner of the land. The committee appealed to the National Commission on Status of Women to provide legal aid to Haleema Bhutto. Yasmeen Rehman was requested to take up the case personally with the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. The sub-committee already constituted under the convenership of Dr Mehreen Razzaque Bhutto will pursue the case.

MNA Marvi Memon criticised a sitting minister’s statement that the victim (Haleema Bhutto) wanted popularity like Mukhtara Mai. She asked the committee the reason behind the government’s inability to resolve its property dispute. She claimed that if the issue was resolved, it would help in improving the system and would have a positive impact on the over-all situation.

With regard to the National Commission for Human Rights Bill, Ministry of Human Rights will send a comparative statement to the members of the committee within one day and the matter will be discussed on April 6, the committee said.

The committee condemned the incident of baton-charge on the Lady Health Visitors of Ghotki. Sukkur RPO will look into the matter and report to the committee. The committee made some recommendations, which included regularisation of service of Lady Health Visitors, withdrawal of case against 40 arrested health visitors along with two personal staff members of Marvi Memon, fixation of Rs 7,000 as wages of Lady Health Visitors and return of looted material to the Lady Health Visitors.

Human Rights In-charge Minister Raza Rabbani assured the committee that he would raise the issue with the Sindh government and would also consult the federal Ministry of Health Secretary about Lady Health Visitors’ agitation. He informed the committee that when the Anti-Terrorist Act was prepared, he raised the issue of the misuse of this law, particularly against politicians. With regard to the Abbottabad killings on April 10, 2010, the committee recalled its previous recommendations and expressed serious concern over the fact that the case had still not been investigated into.

Source: Daily Times

Date:3/30/2011