Senate panel flags security concerns

The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights on Thursday reviewed conviction rates in human rights-related cases across provinces, alongside broader concerns over justice delivery, security and gender inequality in Pakistan. The meeting, chaired by Senator Samina Zehri, was briefed by the human rights secretary on conviction rates, which stood at 4 per cent in 2020, with officials claiming an improvement since 2021. Provincial data on rape conviction rates was also presented. Sindh recorded a 22 per cent conviction rate, followed by Balochistan at 12 per cent, Islamabad at 6.9 per cent, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at 6 per cent. Punjab reported the lowest conviction rate at 4 per cent. During the session, lawmakers raised concerns over delays in justice and inefficiencies in the legal system. Senator Khalil Tahir questioned why justice cannot be delivered within 24 hours if crimes can be committed within that timeframe. "Humanity has died. We only discuss such matters in drawing rooms and then move on," said the committee chairperson said. "In Punjab, a bus conductor raped a woman." Senator Abid Sher Ali said if a citizen hits a Pera Force official, the Anti-Terrorism Act is invoked. "But when a common man is fired at with 160 bullets, Section 7ATA is not applied," he added. Punjab prosecutor general said in cases involving attacks on uniformed forces, such provisions are applied. Abid Sher Ali said in such cases, even courts commit injustice by granting bail. "In our society, the powerful class gets its way." The committee also discussed the Jaranwala incident, where attacks on the Christian community and churches were condemned. Lawmakers emphasised the need to counter religious extremism. Abid Sher Ali called for ending "religious extremism". Senator Aimal Wali Khan criticised the policing system, stating that law enforcement had become deeply compromised. "If a judge is corrupt, takes bribes or money, we will speak against him . If anyone has the courage, they can summon us for contempt of court," he said. The human rights secretary briefed the committee on gender disparity indicators, stating that Pakistan ranked last among 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index. He noted that 26 million children remain out of school in the country, with particularly high dropout rates among girls after primary education. He further highlighted that women's participation in the civil service had improved to around 44–47 per cent in recent years, while representation in the federal cabinet remains limited. He also noted regulatory steps requiring at least one female member on corporate boards.

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