ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Wednesday expressed concern over the events that took place 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 for a detailed briefing on the incident.
A meeting of the Standing Commission on Human Rights was held at the Parliament Building under the chairmanship of MNA Sahibzada Mohammad Hamid Raza. Besides taking several other decisions, the committee members decided to visit Adiala prison next week to see for themselves the facilities provided to the inmates.
In a heated exchange with SP City Khalid Awan, committee chairman Sahibzada Mohammad Hamid Raza inquired about the November 26 event in which shots were fired at protesters. “There was continuous shooting for six hours,” he claimed.
In its response, the SP City said that the police did not fire at the PTI protesters; instead, they were there to protect Parliament.
Members will visit Adiala Prison next week to assess the facilities
Hamid Raza responded that the committee would inquire at the next meeting who had shot at the peaceful protesters.
Nevertheless, Hamid Raza directed that the IGP and Commissioner Islamabad be summoned for a comprehensive briefing on the events of November 26.
Hamid Raza also noted the events outside Adiala Prison in November, when he and other PTI members, including Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omer Ayub and Opposition Leader 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 abuse,” he said while issuing directions to summon officials of the Punjab Home Department with a full report of the incident.
He also emphasized on implementing 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 Prison 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 that it has failed to effectively protect the rights of Pakistani citizens over time.
It instructed the ministry to establish better coordination with the Ministry of Interior to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights. As a result, the committee postponed the issue for further discussion at its next meeting.
The committee congratulated the nation on the New Year and prayed that Almighty Allah would help us overcome problems to bring prosperity to Pakistan.
The committee emphasized the need for the Finance Ministry and the opposition to take substantive measures to bring political stability to Pakistan so that the country can make rapid progress.
The meeting was attended by MNAs 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 Hasham.
Published in Dawn, January 2, 2025