The upper house of the parliament on Tuesday constituted a special committee to ensure implementation of existing laws and policies to support marginalized segments of the society.
The committee was unanimously approved by the senate, which was proposed by the chairman senate on the recommendation of senators during their discussion on the subject in the house.
Senators from both opposition and treasury benches participated in the discussion on the existing situation, law and policies relating to marginalized segments of society; vulnerable children, women and, handicapped, transgender and minorities.
Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani asked the leader of the house and leader of the opposition in the senate to cooperate in the constitution of the committee for representation of both sides.
Informing about term of references (ToRs) for the special committee, the chairman said that the members of the committee will make a liaison with those organizations working for marginalized segments of the society.
He said the committee will examine the existing laws and suggest certain amendments if required.
The committee may also observe the need of any legislation in this regard and prepare draft of the legislation and send it to the house.
The committee may also propose a reforms package to address the sufferings of marginalized segments of the society and also suggest steps to rationalize their employment quota.
He said the committee will give suggestions to further strengthen and streamline institutions like National Commission on Human Rights and National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and ensure avoiding duplication regarding institutions.
Raza Rabbani said that the committee will compile and present its report in the parliament after every two months so that the house may examine the report.
A special day will be designated to present report and the parliament will examine the working of the committee.
Those senators who took part in the discussion included Mushahid Hussain Syed, Dr Kareem Khawaja, Sassui Palijo, Rozina Abid, Senator William, Kamran Sehar, Attique Sheikh, Dr Jehanzeb Jamal Din, Tahir Hussain Mashdi, Nasreen Jaleel, Lt. General (R) Abdul Qayyum, Robina Irfan, Nehal Hashmi, Mir Kabeer, Hafiz Hamdullah, Saeed-ul-Hassan Mandokhel and M Hamza. (APP)
